WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Baseball led Northwestern just 3-2 after the top of the seventh inning before an eight-run bottom of the seventh broke the game open. The Bulldogs walked six times in the inning including three at-bats with the bases loaded, and eventually went on to run-rule the Rangers 12-2 (8 inn.) in Friday's series opener.

With the win, the Dawgs clinch the sixth and final postseason spot in next weekend's Great American Conference Tournament that will be held in Enid, Oklahoma at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

Despite the run-rule victory, prior to the seventh inning the game looked to be heading towards a close finish. SWOSU tacked on single runs in the second, third, and fifth innings to lead 3-0, but for a majority of the game Northwestern actually outhit the Dawgs on the scoreboard.

Trailing 3-0 in the seventh inning, the Rangers shifted momentum following an RBI triple off of the wall in center field and a sac fly to get within a run. Tyler Tuck then came on in relief with a runner on first and one out, and induced a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the threat and keep the SWOSU lead intact.

Now 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs ended any doubt of the final result by scoring eight runs in the inning on just three hits. Northwestern pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, walking five Bulldogs and hitting another in the inning – with three of those free passes issued with the bases loaded.

Bryan Miranda and Rogelio Sanchez sparked that huge eight-run seventh inning with RBI extra-base hits in the early stages of the inning. Their RBIs plated the first three SWOSU runs of the inning and led to the eventual outpouring of runs. After the seventh inning, the Dawgs led 11-2.

The game ended early an inning later after SWOSU loaded the bases with no outs and eventually scored the final run on a wild pitch that went to the backstop.

Brendan Peitsmeyer (W, 4-1) threw 6.0 innings and allowed two runs (both earned) while striking out two. Justin Moreno (.1 IP) and Tyler Tuck(.2 IP) bridged the seventh inning, and Jake Cowan – making his first appearance on the mound since March 2nd – pitched a flawless eighth inning with three strikeouts.

Bryan Miranda and Chase Duncan both recorded triples at the plate for the Dawgs and both finished the game with one hit. Duncan's triple came in the third inning when he drove the right center gap and was able to score on the play following an error in the outfield. Daniel Richardson (2-for-2) and Sanchez (2-for-4) both added two hits apiece to lead the lineup.

SWOSU (23-20, 17-12 GAC) closes out the regular season Saturday with a doubleheader against Northwestern starting at 1 pm in Weatherford. All Bulldog seniors will be honored prior to game one as they play their final games at the Athletic Complex.