By RANGERS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
The Rangers began conference play this weekend with a three game home stand against the Bisons of Harding University. Northwestern fell in game one of the series, but bounced back with a 6-5 victory in the first on Saturday, only to get beat in the second 5-3 in extras.
Northwestern jumped out to a two run lead in the first inning that was started by a Greg Carrington double up the middle. Jorin Van Amstel brought Carrington in with a double of his own down the left field line. Arturo Castro was next up bringing in Van Amstel on a base hit, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers added to their lead in the third inning on a Nathan Kane single that scored Garret Douglas. Castro would add two more to his RBI total giving Northwestern a five nothing lead at the end of the third inning.
Starter, Nick Llorente went six innings allowing no runs on four hits in a terrific outing, but unfortunately recorded a no decision. The seventh inning would end his day as he gave up five runs on three hits including a homerun that would tie the game.
Brandon Nesseralla would come on in relief of Llorente in the top of the eighth and was able to get two quick outs.
David Sanchez came on in relief of Nesseralla and closed out the eighth inning for Northwestern and would wind up as the winning pitcher in a tight battle.
Harding’s bats were quiet in the first six innings but exploded in the seventh scoring five runs to tie it up, three of which came off the bat of Ben Brauss in the form of a three run homerun. That would be all they could muster in game one, however as the Ranger pitching staff would hold them scoreless after that.
Reed Roberts after a rough first three innings allowing five runs he would keep the Ranger bats quiet the next five innings before giving it to the bullpen in the eighth inning. Mason Faulkner would take the loss for Harding.
Northwestern would win this one in walk-off fashion beating the Bisons 6-5 on a Casey Dickerman single, scoring Deckard.
With the series tied 1-1, Northwestern came into this game looking to pick up the first conference series victory of the 2017 campaign, but came up short in a 5-3, extra innings battle.
The Rangers picked up right where they left off scoring runs in the first two innings taking a 1-0 lead into the fourth where the visitors would tie it up.
Bryce Tomlin was the starter on the second game after giving up a run in the first inning held steady holding Harding’s offense silent in the next three innings.
However he would run into trouble in the fourth inning giving up a run that would tie the ball game.
David Sanchez would relieve Bickford in the ninth and would have one solid inning but would get the loss in game two, following a tough second inning of work.
The Bisons offense was quiet for most of the game, but Harding was able to push a run across in the fifth but went five scoreless before scoring their next run, which was a three-run shot over the left field wall.
Mason Faulkner would put the finishing touches on the Rangers giving up three hits and allowing just one run. Faulkner would go on to get the win. Harding would take game two and the series in extra innings 5-3.
The Rangers will travel to Arkansas Tech on Friday and Saturday.