By Cade Kennedy, Sports Editor
Softball season is underway, and the Lady Rangers are off to a rocky start.
The Lady Rangers started the season by traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to compete in the Henderson State Festival. On Friday, the Lady Rangers played two games, with the first opponent being Missouri Southern.
In the first inning, the Lions immediately pounced on the Lady Rangers by scoring four runs. The Lady Rangers responded, as Hannah Howell hit a single that scored Northwestern’s only run of the game.
The Lions continued to pour it on by scoring in the second, third and fourth innings. The Lady Rangers could not overcome the onslaught of runs, giving the Lady Rangers a 7-1 loss.
The second game of the day was a different story, as the Lady Rangers took on Northeastern State.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Lady Ranger bats came to life in the top of the second to take a 5-0 lead. After two more Northwestern runs, the Lady Rangers claimed their first victory of the season, 7-0.
On Saturday, the Lady Rangers finished up their road trip with a game against Arkansas-Monticello. The Lady Rangers found themselves in a familiar situation, as the Blossoms jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.
The Blossoms continued to score, but the Lady Rangers clawed their way back from a seven-run deficit to make the game 10-6 heading into the seventh inning. Despite having some momentum, the Blossoms shut the Lady Rangers down to win, 10-6.
On Tuesday, the Lady Rangers made their home debut against the Jets of Newman.
In the first game of the day, the Lady Rangers found themselves in an early hole. The Jets scored six runs in the first two innings of the game, while the Lady Rangers only scored one. The Lady Rangers rallied, and the game went into extra innings tied at seven. Northwestern did not complete the comeback, as the Jets won, 10-9. The second game was a defensive battle, as the Jets soared to a 3-0 win.
The team’s next game is Friday in Wichita Falls, Texas.