By Jara Reeder, Senior Reporter
The Northwestern baseball team had a rough week with a loss to Emporia State followed by a weekend series of losses.
On March 22, the Rangers traveled to Emporia State for a non-conference game.
The Hornets jumped out to an early start in the first inning with a home run, giving them a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers answered with their own solo home run. Trevor Saire hit one to left center field to tie the game at 1-1.
The Hornets responded with three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-1 lead.
The Rangers did not respond in their half of the third inning, while the Hornets hit a home run to take a 5-1 lead through three innings.
The Rangers answered by loading the bases. Saire and Paul Sachen hit sacrifice flies to cut the deficit to two at 5-3.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Hornets extended the lead with a seven run seventh inning. The first run of the inning crossed on a bases-loaded walk before a fielder’s choice gave the Hornets an 8-4 lead. After a single pushed the lead to 10-4, several Ranger errors and wild pitches had the Rangers down 13-4.
Over the weekend, the Rangers had a three-game series against Harding.
On Friday’s game, it took until the third inning before Harley Shaffer hit a solo home run to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers regained the lead in the seventh with Brayden Koenig hitting a double before a Paul Sachen single scored Koenig for a 2-1 Ranger lead through seven innings.
Harding answered in the ninth inning after a leadoff walk and an error put runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt moved them to second and third before a 2-RBI double to left center field scored two runs for a 3-2 Harding lead and win.
On Saturday, the Rangers and Bisons battled for four innings. In the fifth inning, the Harding defense stepped up while the offense stayed hot, and the Bisons won the game, 15-8.
In the last game of the series, Harding led 6-2 through three innings. The Harding offense racked up five runs in the fourth and fifth innings, giving the Bisons an 11-2 lead. Neither team scored again, giving Harding an 11-2 win.
On Tuesday, the Rangers traveled to Goodwell to play Panhandle State. The Rangers won, 16-4.