Alva Review-Courier -

ALVA, Okla. – It was senior Saturday at the Alva Rec Complex where Northwestern Oklahoma State rolled out nine seniors for their final doubleheader in a Ranger uniform. The Red and Black hosted Harding for the final two games of the regular season, splitting the afternoon, but winning the series, 3-1.

Game 1

It was a very hotly contested game in the first of the twin bill where Karly Murray started off in the circle for the Rangers and pitched a solid seven innings for the home team, but was unfortunately on the losing side of the battle.

It was a back-and-forth contest from the start as Brittany Corrales started off with a homer over the left field fence, bringing the early advantage to 1-0.

After a clean inning for Murray in the circle, Harding caught up to her in the third where they hit a HR of their own to knot it up at 1-1, but Northwestern was quick to respond again.

Morgan Kirk led off the offense for the Red and Black and was moved to second by Katie Bell on a beautifully executed bunt to the pitcher. A sac bunt was then laid down by Peyton Garrett to advance the runners another base.

Two batters later, a catcher's interference led the Rangers to another run, taking the lead again at 2-1, but the home team wasn't able to score the remaining runners on base.

The Lady Bisons quickly rebounded in their next at-bat, hitting their second homer of the afternoon to take the lead once again at 3-2, which is where the score would remain.

Game 2

In an unconventional start in the second game, Madison Garza began in the circle for Game Two and claimed her second win of the weekend, surrendering just two runs to the Lady Bisons.

The game started off as a pitcher's duel, but the Rangers broke the drought first on a single up the middle, scoring Parrott from second base to take the 1-0 advantage.

HU crossed the plate for the first time in the fifth inning, but it was for the lead. A single and two errors led to the visitors taking a 2-1 lead.

Garza came back out in the top of the sixth and shut the door on the Lady Bisons. Her offense answered in their half of the inning, plating three runs one of which was a solo home run, while the other two were on a single and a double. The three hits brought the score to 4-2 in favor of the Rangers.

The senior took care of business in the seventh frame as well, keeping the Lady Bisons off the board, giving her team the victory in her final start as a Ranger.

Northwestern softball graduated nine seniors this afternoon in Audrey Estes, Peyton Garrett, Brittany Corrales, Jordan Sutton, Macy Madewell, Madison McGraw, Katie Bell, Madison Garza and Madi Parrott.