By MEGAN MAHARRY
Sports Reporter
The Lady Rangers softball team hosted Oklahoma Baptist University in a four-game series on Thursday and Friday. The Lady Rangers fell in the series 3-1.
On Thursday, the Lady Rangers lost in double-headers 8-4 and 4-2.
In game one, the Lady Rangers started off hot on offense, as five batters collected multiple hits. Jordan Sutton led the team going 3-for-4 at the plate. The Lady Rangers outhit OBU, but were unable to capitalize any runs.
Pitcher Madison Garza was strong in the circle until OBU hit a two-run homer in the third inning. A combined six runs in the fourth and fifth inning was enough to overcome the Lady Ranger’s four runs for the victory.
In game two, the Lady Rangers fell in a close 4-2 game.
The Lady Rangers did not have the red-hot offense like during the first game. The lone runs for the Lady Rangers were scored in the sixth inning.
Pitcher Karly Murray gave up eight hits and four runs.
In Friday’s double-header, the Lady Rangers split the games, falling 16-8 and then coming back to win 6-3.
In game three, OBU dominated the Lady Rangers in just five innings, 16-8.
The Lady Rangers jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the bottom of the first. A home run blast from Macy Madewell gave the Lady Rangers three of the five runs in the bottom of the first.
OBU came back in the third inning with a grand slam and three more runs, totaling seven. Eight more runs in the top of the fourth push OBU’s lead to 16-5.
The Lady Rangers fought back in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back home runs from Madi Parrott and Morgan Kirk, but were unable to avoid mercy rule.
In the final game of the series, the Lady Rangers took the victory 6-3.
Pitcher Karly Murry held OBU to three earned runs and collected seven strikeouts.
The Lady Rangers struck first in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double by Parrott, who then scored on a single from Kirk.
Three runs scored in the third and two in the fifth would be enough for the Lady Rangers to take the 6-3 victory.
The Lady Rangers will next face rival Southwestern Oklahoma State University in a double-header on the road.
