Northwestern Oklahoma State University head baseball coach and assistant athletic director Joe Phillips will leave those positions at the end of the school year, but will remain with the institution as an instructor.

Phillips completed his 20th season as head baseball coach last week and will leave with a career record of 452-527. Phillips has been associated with the Ranger baseball program since 1983 when he began his playing career after transferring from Cowley County (Kan.) Community College.

“We appreciate the years of service that Coach Phillips has given to Northwestern and the young men that he has coached,” said Bob Battisti, athletic director.

Battisti said the search for a new baseball coach will begin immediately.

Tyson Kendrick was 3-for-5 against USAO.

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Northwestern dropped its final baseball game of the 2008 season in Chickasha, as the Rangers fell to the Drovers, 12-7. Game two was halted after an altercation broke out, started by a USAO player.

USAO used a five-run second inning, a two-run fourth and a run in the fifth, to take an 8-0 lead.

Northwestern came back with a five-spot in the top of the sixth inning, to trail 8-5, but the Drovers answered with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

The Rangers were able to score two more in the seventh, as Colby Clodfelter hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season, followed by Ty Burkes first home run of the year.

Northwestern out-hit USAO, 12-11, and stranded 10 runners on base.

Catcher Tyson Kendrick led the Ranger hitter’s with a 3-for-5 outing. Clodfelter and Burkes each had two hits each, including their home runs.

Matt Stratton (3-10) started the game and struck out four batters in two complete innings. Josh Bowles followed, pitching 3.1 innings, while Chance Clodfelter and Christopher Glass each threw an out.

Northwestern closed the season out at 8-36 overall and at 4-25 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Rangers will lose three seniors: Colby Clodfelter, Christopher Glass and Mark Zadorozny.

Richard Burdick was 2-for-4 with three RBI's as he hit his fifth home run against USAO on Friday.

ALVA, Okla. – The Ranger baseball team dropped its final home game of the season at Ranger Field on Friday, April 25 as Northwestern was defeated 16-5 by the University of Science and Arts. The loss put the Rangers at 8-35 on the season and at 4-24 in the SAC, while USAO improved to 21-23 overall and to 13-15 in conference play.

USAO jumped out to a 3-0 lead after an inning and a half, but the Ranger combated with two runs in the bottom of the second to pull within a run. The Ranger’s did so on Richard Burdick’s fifth home run of the season, scoring Ruben Mora who reached base via an error.

The Drovers jumped out to a 10-2 lead after a huge third inning, scoring seven runs.

USAO increased its lead with three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 16-2 advantage.

Burdick drove in his third run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth and Ty Burkes’ RBI groundout gave the Rangers two more runs. Northwestern’s final run came in the seventh inning, as the Drovers walked in a run.

The original nine-inning game was cut short due to the 10-run, run-rule.

Burdick was 2-for-4 with three of the Rangers five RBI’s and a run scored. Mora also had two hits, while Colby Clodfelter doubled.

Senior Mark Zadorozny (1-2) pitched two innings in the start, facing 18 batters. Josh Morris relieved with two innings, striking out three and allowing four runs. James Bailey and Matt Mahieu finished the game, throwing one and two innings, respectively.

Northwestern (8-35, 4-24) closes out the season on Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Chickasha against USAO.

Due to inclement weather, the Northwestern baseball team’s nine-inning game originally scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at Ranger Field has been pushed back to Friday, April 25. First pitch is still set for 2 p.m.

The Rangers and Drovers will play a doubleheader in Chickasha on Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m.

Brandon Walker pitched his way to his second victory of the season, defeating Southern Nazarene 5-4. Walker had five K's in 6.1 innings.

ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern and Southern Nazarene split games in the third meeting of the season at Ranger Field on Tuesday, with the Rangers dropping the opener 11-0, before taking the seventh game of the series between the two teams in the nightcap, defeating SNU, 5-4. The win improved the Rangers to 8-34 on the season.

The Rangers got three hits from three different players in the opener. Christopher Glass and Colby Clodfelter hit singles, while Tom Huddleston recorded his team-tying second triple of the season.

Southern Nazarene had 12 hits in the game and used an eight-run sixth inning to enforce the run-rule.

Matt Stratton (3-9) started on the bump, striking out four and walking one batter in 5.2 innings. Josh Bowles pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief.

Northwestern got game two turned around, while both teams pounded out 11 hits.

The Rangers used a four run second inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. In that inning, Angel Hernandez got things going with a lead off single and stole second. Clay Jennings followed with a RBI double to left field, plating Hernandez. After an unearned run scored by Matt Schuster, Clint Dodds drove in Ty Burkes on a sacrifice fly. Northwestern scored their fourth and final run of the inning on Glass’ RBI single to center field.

Southern Nazarene scored two runs in each of the third and fourth innings off of starting pitcher Brandon Walker, knotting the game at 4-4.

To lead off the fourth inning, Casey Clark singled to the left side and was followed by a Huddleston single. Glass got his third hit of the ballgame, scoring Clark from second and giving the Rangers the 5-4 advantage.

Walker retired the side in the fifth inning and got out of the sixth inning unscathed. He was lifted after pitching an out in the seventh for Glass. Glass shut the door on the Crimson Storm, getting the last two batters to fly out in rout for his second save of the season.

Walker improved to 2-6 on the season after fanning five batters in 6.1 innings pitched. He faced 31 batters and gave up four runs.

Glass led the hitters with a perfect 3-for-3 outing and was followed by a 2-for-3 performance from Hernandez.

Northwestern (8-34, 4-23) will finish their season this week, hosting USAO in a nine inning game on Thursday, April 24 before closing the season out with a doubleheader in Chickasha against USAO on April 26.

Christopher Glass hit three home runs and hit .667 in the three-game series over Wayland Baptist.

PLAINVIEW, Tex. – Eleventh-ranked Wayland Baptist University used 39 hits to come up with a three-game sweep of Northwestern over the weekend. Northwestern fell 5-3 and 13-7 in Friday’s doubleheader and lost 13-5 in the finale.

Matt Stratton went the distance in the opener, throwing all six innings and holding the Pioneers to four earned runs. Stratton stuck out three batters and dished out one free pass over the course of the game.

Both teams scored a run in the opening inning, with the Rangers’ run coming on a Ruben Mora single, knocking in Clint Dodds, who reached on an error.

After WBU scored a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead, Northwestern pulled within a run on an unearned run in the third inning. Wayland scored another run in the bottom half of the inning, taking a 4-2 advantage.

Christopher Glass hit a home run to right field to again come within a run of the Pioneers, but Wayland Baptist added a run of their own in the bottom half to take the eventual 5-3 win.

Glass had half of the Rangers hits, as he led NWOSU with a 3-for-4 outing, scoring a run and driving another in. Angel Hernandez, Tyson Kendrick and Mora all had singles.

In the nightcap, WBU led 7-0 after two innings of play.

The Rangers scored two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and three in the seventh, while pounding out 11 hits.

Glass again led NWOSU with a 3-for-4 performance, while scoring a pair of runs and recording an RBI. Richard Burdick and Ty Burkes both had two hits, while Colby Clodfelter clubbed his seventh home run of the season.

The Rangers used four pitchers, with Brandon Walker (1-6) taking the loss after going an inning and two-thirds. Josh Morris pitched three innings of relief before giving way to Chance Clodfelter, who threw an out. Matt Mahieu finished the game, throwing the final inning.

Wayland Baptist’s bats were on fire during the early innings on Saturday’s nine-inning game. The Pioneers first eight hits were home runs as WBU set a new school record for most home runs in a game.

After WBU jumped out to a 9-0 lead through three innings, the Rangers got on the scoreboard as Glass and Burdick both hit solo home runs to trail 9-2.

WBU scored another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 10-2 lead. Glass went deep for the third time of the series and fifth time this season, with a two-run blast to left field to plate Mora and close the gap to 10-4.

The Pioneers extended their lead, scoring three runs in the seventh. Northwestern scored a solo run in the ninth inning on a homerun, the Rangers’ fourth of the game, by Colby Clodfelter.

Four of the Rangers seven hits were home runs, as Mora, Glass and Burdick had two hits each, while Clodfelter had one.

James McMurphy (0-4) started the game and took the loss, striking out one batter in 2.1 innings of work. Mark Zadorozny pitched 4.2 inning of long relief before Josh Bowles closed out the eighth inning.

The Rangers (7-33, 4-23) will finish their season in the upcoming week, as they play a non-conference doubleheader with Southern Nazarene on Tuesday, April 22 in the annual “Pack the Park” game. Northwestern will host USAO in a nine inning game on Thursday, April 24 before closing the season out with a doubleheader in Chickasha against USAO on April 26.

The Ranger baseball team’s schedule has been overhauled for the upcoming weekend of April 18-19. Northwestern road games, including a three-game series with Wayland Baptist and doubleheader with Hillsdale Baptist, have been changed.

The three-game set with Wayland Baptist in Plainview, Tex., has been moved from a Thursday-Friday series to a Friday-Saturday series. The two teams will meet on Friday, April 18 for a 4 p.m. doubleheader and end the series on Saturday, April 19 with a nine-inning game at 1 p.m.

The originally scheduled doubleheader with Hillsdale Baptist on Saturday, April 19, has been pushed back two days and first pitch is slated for 3 p.m. on Monday, April 21.

Northwestern will return home on Tuesday, April 22 for a non-conference doubleheader with Southern Nazarene with the annual “Pack the Park” activities taking place.

Kellan Scott pounds out a base hit against No. 1 Lubbock Christian. Scott leads the Rangers with a .404 batting average.

ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State made No. 1 ranked Lubbock Christian work for there three-game weekend sweep. The Chaps defeated the Rangers 9-4 and 12-2 on Saturday at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, before Northwestern trailed only 3-2 through seven innings in the final game of the series back in Alva on Sunday, resulting in a 9-2 loss.

In a chilly, rainy and windy day on Saturday, the Rangers and Chaps were knotted at 1-1 through three innings. LCU’s run came in the first inning on a home run, while Northwestern got an unearned run in the third inning as Angel Hernandez singled in Matt Schuster, who was pinch running for Tyson Kendrick, that earlier reached on an error.

The Chaps scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to 5-1 through four and a half innings.

Hernandez drove in Northwestern’s second run in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Ty Burkes who was pinch running for Kendrick, who again reached base via an error.

Lubbock pushed across four runs in the seventh inning on four hits to take a 9-2 lead.

Ruben Mora hit his seventh home run of the year, a two-run blast in the bottom of the seventh, to leave the final score at 9-4.

Starter Matt Stratton (3-7) was lifted after six innings pitched. He allowed eight hits, four earned runs and struck out three batters in 28 batters faced. Josh Bowles threw a third of an inning in relief, facing three batters, and James Bailey finished the remaining two-thirds of an inning, pitching to the final six batters.

Hernandez had two of the Rangers’ four hits, along with Mora’s home run and Colby Clodfelter’s single.

The nightcap didn’t turn out so well, as Lubbock Christian run-ruled the Rangers 12-2 in six innings.

Mora again went yard for the eighth time this season, this time to right field to drive in the Rangers’ only two runs.

LCU’s starter, Chris Holguin, allowed just two hits, including Mora’s home run and Kellan Scott’s single.

On the mound, James McMurphy (0-3) took the loss, throwing 5.1 innings. He struck out two and walked three. Matt Mahieu threw the final two outs in relief.

Back in Alva, on Sunday, the Rangers gave the Chaps a scare in the nine-inning game.

Lubbock opened the scoring in the third inning on a two-run home run and an RBI double to lead 3-0.

The Rangers scored a single run in the fifth as Burdick doubled to plate Scott, who singled.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Northwestern pulled within a run in the seventh. After Ranger starter Brandon Walker was ejected from the game, Mark Zadorozny came in and shut the door on the Chaps in the top of the seventh. Scott’s RBI groundout, scored Burkes, who was pinch running for Christopher Glass, after leading the inning off with a single.

The Chaps pulled away in eighth inning, scoring five runs on three hits and adding a solo run in the ninth inning to come to the eventual 9-2 win.

The Rangers matched their game-one hit total with four hits. Glass, Clodfelter, and Scott had singles, while Burdick recorded his seventh double of the season.

Walker (1-5), who held the Chaps to just three runs in six innings of work, allowed four hits and struck out three.

Northwestern (7-30, 4-20) will meet Wayland Baptist in Plainview, Tex. in the upcoming week for a three-game set.

The Northwestern Alumni Event, the third annual “Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie”, has been canceled.

Colby Clodfelter was 4-for-7 with three runs batted in during the non-conference doubleheader with Southern Nazarene.

BETHANY, Okla. – The Ranger baseball team suffered a pair of losses in a non-conference twinbill on the road against Southern Nazarene (28-14, 13-8) on Tuesday. Northwestern fell 8-7 in extra innings in the opener, before suffering a 12-2 run-rule loss in game two.

Being down 1-0 after Southern Nazarene scored a run in the second inning, Northwestern pushed across three runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead. Matt Schuster singled in Kellan Scott, who singled to lead off the inning for the Rangers first run of the game. Angel Hernandez plated the next two runs on a two-RBI double, scoring Ty Burkes and Schuster, before being thrown out trying to extend into a triple.

The Crimson Storm had a big bottom of the third, scoring six runs on three hits and thanks to three Ranger miscues.

Northwestern came back from the 7-3 deficit and tied the game in the sixth inning. Henandez started the inning off with a home run and was followed by singles from Clint Dodds and Christopher Glass. Shortstop Colby Clodfelter rapped a double, scoring Dodds and Glass for two runs. With two outs, Schuster was able to score Clodfelter from second for the game-tying run.

Ranger relief pitcher, Josh Bowles, and the Crimson Storm reliever, sat the opposition down in order up until the bottom of the eighth inning.

During the bottom of the eighth inning, SNU’s leadoff reached on an error and was singled to second, but was later erased on a fielder’s choice to third base. With the bases loaded and two outs, SNU scored the game-winning run on a walk.

Bowles (1-4) took the loss after throwing 5.2 innings of relief. He wasn’t charged with an earned run and allowed five hits, as he struck out one batter in 25 batters faced. Starter James Bailey went two innings and suffered four earned runs and four hits.

Hernandez had three runs batted in as he was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Clodfelter and Schuster both had two hits, a run scored and a pair of runs batted in.

After scoring a run in the top of the first inning of the second game, the Rangers couldn’t get things going. Clodfelter had an RBI single, plating Tom Huddleston who singled to lead things off and stole second, before scoring.

Southern Nazarene combated with a run of its own in the bottom of the first and took an 8-1 lead after a seven-run third inning.

Northwetern’s final run of the day came when Hernandez scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning.

With no outs in the fifth inning, SNU pushed across four runs to enforce the run-rule.

Clodfelter again recorded two hits in game number two and drove in the only Ranger earned run. Matt Murray had a double, while Huddleston singled for the only four NWOSU hits.

On the mound, Josh Morris (0-7) took the loss after pitching 2.1 innings. Morris struck out three, walked four and allowed six runs. Chance Clodfelter gave an inning and two-thirds of relief before Matt Mahieu ended the game on the hill.

The Rangers (7-27, 4-17) return to Sooner Athletic Conference action as they host the NAIA’s No. 2 team, Lubbock Christian (37-1, 21-0), for a three-game series in Enid at David Allen Memorial over the weekend. On Friday, April 11, the doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m. and Saturday’s first pitch for the nine-inning game is set at 1 p.m. The Chaps are undefeated in conference play and have only lost one game this season.

Matt Schuster led the Rangers in the three-game set with Mid-America, going 5-for-8 with five runs batted in.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Northwestern’s baseball team won its fourth consecutive game after completing a three-game sweep of conference foe Mid-America Christian on Saturday. The Rangers (7-25, 4-17) downed the Evangels 7-3 and 9-8 on Friday at Ranger Field before holding them off for a 5-3 road win on Saturday.

Northwestern erupted for five runs in the first inning of the opening game of the series. The Rangers did so on five hits.

Mid-America scored three runs in the top of the second, but Ranger starter Matt Stratton held the Evangels scoreless the rest of the game.

The Rangers added two insurance runs in the fourth, one on a Tyson Kendrick RBI and the other on Angel Hernandez’ sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Stratton (3-6) picked up his team-leading third win of the season as he allowed seven hits and three runs, while striking out a season-high ten batters.

Ruben Mora and Matt Schuster had two hits each as NWOSU finished with eight total hits.

In game two, Northwestern again jumped out ahead in the first inning, this time scoring three runs. Mid-America pushed a run across in the second inning, but the Rangers took a 5-1 lead after a two-run fifth.

Mid-America pulled the game closer after a two run sixth inning. Trailing 5-3, the Evangels pounded out four hits for five runs in the top of the seventh, taking an 8-5 lead.

Northwestern fought back the bottom of the seventh. After Colby Clodfelter doubled to centerfield with one out, he scored on a Kellan Scott single. The Rangers loaded the bases with one out and pulled within a run on Tom Huddleston’s RBI walk. With Kendrick at the plate and the bases loaded, he came through in dramatic style with walk-off two RBI single to right field that gave the Rangers the 9-8 victory.

The Rangers out hit the Evangels 13-10, with four players having two hits.

Brandon Walker went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs, before Christopher Glass relieved for an inning. Chance Clodfelter (1-0) was tabbed with the win, his first of the season, after throwing the final two outs.

In Saturday’s nine-inning game, the Evangels scored a run in the first to take the early 1-0 lead. Mid-America starting pitcher Ryan McCoin, held the Rangers hitless through four innings, setting the Rangers down in order.

The Rangers came alive in the fifth inning, coming up with five hits, as Glass kicked off the inning with a single to right. Schuster had a two-RBI single to left and Kendrick drove in a run on a single to the left side.

The Evangels tied the game at 3-3 with a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Northwestern’s game-winning run came in the seventh, as Scott started the inning off with a single and scored on Schuster’s third RBI of the game. After swiping second base, Schuster scored as Kendrick delivered a single to right field.

Mark Zadorozny (1-1) was awarded the win after throwing 3.2 innings of relief of starter James McMurphy, who threw 5.1 innings. Zadorozny shut the Evangels down, while striking out a pair and scattering four hits.  

Kendrick, Scott, Schuster and Clodfelter all had two hits in the game, while Hernandez and Glass each had a hit.

Northwestern (7-25, 4-17) will play Southern Nazarene on Tuesday, April 8 in a non-conference doubleheader in Bethany. The Rangers then take on Lubbock Christian for a three-game series in Enid at David Allen Memorial on Friday and Saturday.

The amount of precipitation in the Oklahoma City area has forced the Northwestern Oklahoma State University baseball team’s three-game series with Mid-America Christian to change. Northwestern was scheduled to host the doubleheader on Saturday, April 5, but will instead host the Evangels at 1 p.m. at Ranger Field on Friday, April 4. The final game of the series is schedule in Oklahoma City at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5.

The third annual “Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie” will take place on Friday, April 11 at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid at 3 p.m.

The third annual “Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie” will take place on Friday, April 11 at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid when the Northwestern Oklahoma State Ranger baseball team hosts a doubleheader with Lubbock Christian University with the first seven-inning game beginning at 3 p.m. The event is hosted by the Greater Enid NWOSU Alumni Task Force and in between game activities will begin at 4:30 p.m.

The Rowdy Rangers will begin grilling hot dogs and serve apple pie from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. for the first 300 alumni and friends. Concessions will be available for snack items and sodas.

Prizes will be given away throughout the event and free t-shirts, courtesy of Encompass FSI, will also be free of charge.

Admission for the game is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students K-12 and $2.00 for senior citizens.  

“This event has become a new Ranger tradition,” said Northwestern Alumni Association Director, Lizabeth Richey. “Come out and show your Ranger spirit while you celebrate America’s Pastime.”

Casey Clark takes a cut while Ruben Mora awaits on deck.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Just two days after the Rangers suffered a beating from the Stars, Northwestern battled No. 5 Oklahoma City University in doubleheader action on Saturday at Jim Wade Stadium in Oklahoma City. The Stars came out victorious in both games, sneaking by the Rangers 3-0 and 8-6.

Oklahoma City jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first inning and scored at least two runs in every other inning, except for being held scoreless in the fifth.

Northwestern’s ten runs came in five separate innings, including three in the first.

The Rangers picked up 13 hits, while OCU was two hits away from tying the NAIA national record with 31 hits on the day.

Christopher Glass was a triple away from the cycle as he turned in a 3-for-3 day with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Angel Hernandez and Clint Dodds both had two hits each.

The Rangers used seven pitchers, with the loss going to starter Brandon Walker (1-3).

Northwestern (3-21, 1-15) will travel to Oklahoma City for a doubleheader with the Stars (31-3, 11-1) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.

CRIMSON STORM COMPLETES SWEEP OVER RANGERS

Angel Hernandez makes a diving catch against Southern Nazarene.

ALVA, Okla. – The Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm’s lucky number was thirteen in the three game series against the Rangers. Northwestern was defeated in Saturday’s doubleheader, 13-2 and 13-5, making it the third game the Rangers allowed 13 runs to SNU. The losses dropped NWOSU to 3-20 overall and to 1-14 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Game one was cut short due to a 10-run run-rule after five innings. SNU tallied 12 hits in the opener and jumped out to a 9-0 lead after two complete.

Northwestern’s only runs came in the first inning, as Clint Dodds doubled to plate Tom Huddleston, who began the inning with a walk. Dodds was later moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on Ruben Mora’s double up the middle.

The Rangers were held to five hits, with Mora leading the way with a 2-for-3 outing.

Matt Stratton (1-5) pitched two innings and gave up six hits and nine runs in 16 batters faced. His successors, Josh Bowles and Mark Zadorozny, threw 1.1 and 1.2 innings, respectively. 

In game two, Northwestern scored a run in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. That advantage was erased in the top of the third as SNU tacked on three runs. Northwestern answered the call and scored three runs of its own, going back ahead by a score of 5-3.

SNU added another run in the fourth inning and then exploded for seven runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth, holding the Rangers scoreless over the last four innings.

Brandon Walker (1-2) threw well, despite the Rangers committing seven errors, allowing only two earned runs in 4.1 innings. Walker stuck out three batters, walked none and allowed 12 hits in 28 batters. Chance Clodfelter threw two thirds of an inning in relief, before Matt Mahieu ended the game throwing the last two innings.

Ty Burkes and Colby Clodfelter combined for four of the Rangers seven hits. Burkes was 2-for-3 with a runs scored, while Clodfelter, was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and a run scored. Kellan Scott, Matt Schuster and Dodds each had a hit a piece.

The Rangers (3-20, 1-14) host Hillsdale Baptist on Monday, March 17 in a 1 p.m. non-conference doubleheader, before taking on No. 6 Oklahoma City University on Thursday in a single nine inning game at Ranger Field.

RANGERS FALL IN FIRST GAME OF SNU SERIES

Ruben Mora led the Rangers with a 2-for-3 outing and an RBI double against Southern Nazarene.

BETHANY, Okla. – Southern Nazarene got the best of Northwestern on Thursday in Bethany, as the Crimson Storm cut a nine-inning game short due to run-rule, defeating the Rangers 13-1.

The Crimson Storm rapped out 14 hits and recorded all but two of the runs earned on their way to the win.

SNU scored two runs in the first, second and third innings and added three more runs in the fourth, leading 9-0, before Ruben Mora’s double plated Angel Hernandez, for the Rangers only run of the game during the sixth inning. Southern Nazarene went on to add four more runs in the bottom of the sixth and held Northwestern scoreless in the top of the seventh for the win.

The Ranger pitching staff went through four pitchers. Josh Morris was tabbed with the loss as he moved to 0-5 on the season after throwing 1.2 innings. James McMurphy followed with two and a thirds innings of relief, before Dillon Ring and Chance Clodfelter each threw an inning.

Mora led the Rangers offensively, going 2-for-3 and plating the only Ranger run. Sean Nichols, Christopher Glass, Tom Huddleston and Hernandez all had singles in the game.

The Rangers (3-18, 1-12) finish the three game series with Southern Nazarene (20-7, 8-2) on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Ranger Field with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

BASEBALL DROPS TWO TO MOUNT MARTY

Tom Huddleston (right) is ready to fire to the infield as Angel Hernandez (left) is there for back up.

ALVA, Okla. – The Ranger baseball team lost a pair of non-conference games to Mount Marty (S.D.) at Ranger Field on Sunday, March 9 by scores of 8-5 and 9-4.

With the Rangers ahead 2-1 after three complete innings in game one, Northwestern was plagued by three errors and four Lancer hits in the top of the fourth, as Mount Marty scored five unearned runs to take a 6-2 lead.

Northwestern responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, to trail 7-4, as Angel Hernandez and Ruben Mora each single in a run.

The Lancers hit a solo run in the sixth inning, as did the Rangers scored a single run in the seventh inning in the eventual 8-5 loss.

NWOSU out hit Mount Marty 8-5, but suffered five defensive blunders.

James McMurphy (0-1) went 3.1 innings on the mound and was charged with no earned runs. Mark Zadorozny followed with just as many innings pitched, before Dillon Ring threw the final out. Only two of the Lancer’s eight runs were earned.

Offensively, three Rangers had multi-hit games. Tom Huddleston and Angel Hernandez each had three hits, as Hernandez doubled and stole a base and Huddleston swiped two bases. Clint Dodds turned in a 2-for-3 performance with two singles.

The second games result was much the same, as Mount Marty had a big inning, scoring four runs in the fourth inning.

Northwestern briefly held a lead, ahead 4-3 after three innings, but the Lancer’s fourth put the Rangers hopes to bed as NWOSU was scoreless in the last four innings.

Colby Clodfelter, Hernandez and Dodds all had two hits each. Mora hit his team-leading sixth home run of the season to score all three runs in the third inning.

Northwestern (3-17, 1-11) will play a three-game set with Southern Nazarene this upcoming week. The Rangers travel to Bethany for a single nine-inning game on Thursday, March 13 at 2 p.m. before hosting the Crimson Storm on Saturday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

EAGLES GRAB THREE FROM RANGERS IN EXTRA INNINGS

Tom Huddleston looks to leg out a single.

Edmond, Okla. – Oklahoma Christian used a walk off solo home run with two outs in the eighth inning in the final game of the three-game series to sweep the Rangers. Northwestern fell 10-0 in the opener before dropping the nightcap 8-7.

In the first game of the series on Thursday in Alva, Northwestern fell 10-7 after holding a lead for the majority of the game.

Oklahoma Christian scored two runs in the first inning to jump to an early lead, but the Rangers combated with two runs of there own in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 2-2.

Northwestern had a huge seventh inning, scoring five runs on three hits, taking a 7-2 lead. That lead proved to not be enough as Oklahoma Christian chipped away for a pair of runs in the eight and exploded for six runs in the top of the ninth inning, using five hits. The Rangers were unable to get a runner past second and were victims of the late inning comeback.

Freshman Clint Dodds led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with two doubles as Matt Stratton (1-4) took the loss after eight innings of work.

On Saturday, the Rangers’ bats were asleep in the opener as Oklahoma Christian starter Riley Jones retired the minimum of 15 batters in the five inning run-rule. Ruben Mora’s single up the middle proved to be the only Ranger hit as OC scored five runs in the first inning, one in the second and four more in the fourth on nine hits.

Josh Morris (0-4) was pinned with the loss after not retiring a batter in five batters faced. He was relived by Josh Bowles, who went three innings before giving way to Chance Clodefelter’s inning of work.

Game two was a much different result, as Mora hit a two-run homerun, his fifth of the season, to knot the game up at 2-2 in the top of the second. The Rangers added a run in the third inning and both squads scored a solo run in the fourth inning.

NWOSU extended its lead to 6-3 after 4.5 innings. Colby Clodfelter homered to left field and Richard Burdick scored after a double, to put the Rangers in the lead, 6-3.

The Eagles tied the score at six with one swing of the bat on Jeff Davis’ three-run home run to left.

After an OCU run in the bottom of the sixth, Northwestern wasn’t to be outdone, as Clodfelter singled to left field to start off the seventh inning and later scored on Tom Huddleston’s RBI single to left to knot the game at 7-7.

Northwestern was scoreless in the eighth, despite getting a runner to second base. After pitcher Christopher Glass retired the first two OC batters, the Eagles rightfielder homered to right field for the walk off victory.

Brandon Walker recorded a no decision, while starting and throwing five innings, striking out four. Matt Mahieu relived for a third of an inning, before Glass ended the game throwing the final 2.1 innings and striking out three of 10 batters faced.

Huddleston, Mora and Clodfelter each had two hits as the Rangers were one hit shy of OC’s output of 12 hits.

The Rangers will play Mount Marty (S.D.) on Sunday, March 9 at Ranger Field in a game that was recently added to the schedule. The doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m.

RANGERS USE RUN RULE TO SPLIT WITH HILLCATS

Senior Christopher Glass forces a Rogers State runner out at second base. Glass was 3-for-6 with his first home run of the season and five RBI's on Saturday at Ranger Field

ALVA, Okla. – After dropping the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader with Rogers State, 13-6, Northwestern erupted for 13 hits in the nightcap, including eight for extra bases, as they overtook the Hillcats, 14-4, in a five-inning run rule.

Rogers State jumped out to an early 3-1 lead after an inning of play in the opening game. The Hillcats extended their lead to 10-1 through four and a half innings of play.

Northwestern scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth as Christopher Glass and Angel Hernandez each drove in a run. The Rangers tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning, to trail 10-6 after Ruben Mora hit a towering shot to center field, followed by Richard Burdick’s home run to center field.

Rogers State added three more runs in the top of the seventh and shut down Northwestern in the bottom half of the frame.

Josh Morris (0-3) took the loss after completing 3.2 innings of work. Morris was relieved by James McMurphy for two thirds of an innings before Chance Clodfelter pitched an inning and two thirds. Mark Zadorozny threw the final inning for Northwestern.

The Rangers had seven hits, including a leadoff home run in the first inning from Sean Nichols in addition to Mora and Burdick’s blasts. Mora finished as the only Ranger with a multi-hit game, as he was 2-for-4.

Northwestern crushed the ball in game two, as they had eight extra base hits. Ruben Mora hit his team leading fourth home run of the season, while Christopher Glass, Hernandez and Burdick also had bombs.

Tom Huddleston picked up a double and a triple while going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Hernandez drove in four runs on two hits and scored a run, while Glass was a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI’s and three runs scored.

Northwestern’s first three innings were big, scoring five runs in the first inning and four in both the second and third innings.

Brandon Walker cruised through the Hillcats, evening his record to 1-1 on the mound, as he struck out one batter and allowed four runs in the five inning win.

Northwestern (3-12, 1-8) will host Oklahoma Christian in conference action in a 2 p.m. nine-inning game on Thursday, March 6 at Ranger Field. The Rangers and Eagles haven’t meet since the 2001 season.