ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State softball kept it close in game one against the No. 7 Southern Arkansas, losing 4-1, but SAU pulled away in the second, winning that one 12-1.

Game 1

Madison Garza was in the circle in the first game and gave up just three hits while striking out nine in the seven inning game.

Garza's counterpart, Victoria Taylor was just as good, surrendering only three hits in the game and just one run.

Despite the firepower that each team has shown, the pitchers were more of a story than the offenses, as they allowed a total of five runs and six hits between the two.

The Muleriders scored the first four runs of the game, all of which were in the third and fourth innings.

For a team that had 58 home runs before the afternoon began, the visitors didn't hit one in the first of two games.

SAU put up their runs by way of a wild pitch, a SAC fly and a two-run single in the fourth.

Northwestern wasn't quite on their offensive game, but Madison McGraw got on a ball to left center that cleared the wall with ease in the fourth.

Unfortunately for Garza however, who threw a gem, was credited for the loss as the Ranger offense wasn't able to score again after McGraw's homer, falling 4-1.

Luther Kuuhlmann

Lady Ranger Jordon Sutton of Independence, Kansas, takes a swing. She got one hit in three at-bats.

Game 2

Northwestern struggled not only on the offensive side of the ball, but the defensive as well, giving up 16 hits in game two.

The Muleriders struck early and often in the contest, starting off with two runs in the first frame, but the Red and Black were able to hit a dinger off the bat of Morgan Kirk, making it 2-1 at the time.

The visitors didn't go one inning in the contest without scoring a run, while holding the Rangers to just their one run throughout the rest of the contest.

SAU went ahead and scored nine more in the game to seal the deal in just five innings, following the eight runs, after five innings mercy rule.