ALVA – There were some tense moments, but Oklahoma Baptist ended up winning both Great American Conference games at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Monday. OBU was victorious by 4-3 and 5-4 tallies and improved to 25-14 and 18-5 in the league.
GAME ONE
The Bison leaned on timely hitting and strong pitching to top Northwestern 4-3 in the opener on Monday afternoon at the Alva Recreation Complex.
Senior outfielder
Sammie Greene powered the Bison offensively, driving in three of their four runs. Greene plated leadoff hitter
Kaley Cook twice with sacrifice flies in the first and third innings before delivering the decisive blow — a solo home run in the seventh. That was her team-leading 11th bomb of the season.
The Rangers struck early with a two-run first frame off starter
Jorja Barrett, highlighted by RBI knocks from Rachel Sherwood and Alexis Clark. But Barrett (14-2) settled in, scattering five hits over 6.1 innings while striking out three.
Morgan Max recorded the final two outs for her fourth save of the year.
Northwestern made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh after a pinch-hit double by Madeline Pack sparked a rally. A fielder's choice RBI by Sherwood pulled the Rangers within one, but Max shut the door by inducing a groundout to end the game.
Cook reached base twice, stole two bags, and scored twice while Max added two hits and two walks at the plate.
GAME TWO
The Bison held off a late push from Northwestern to take a 5–4 win in the finale. That win was aided behind a strong start and complete-game effort from ace
Jaycee Shaffer.
The Bison jumped out early with two first-inning runs as Greene doubled home
Greenlee Wells, then scored on a Max single. Wells added a solo home run in the third, her 11th of the season, pushing the lead to 3–0.
Northwestern answered with a homer of its own in the bottom half from Pack. The Rangers continued to chip away, eventually tying the game 3–3 in the fifth on a triple by Macy Spearman.
OBU regained control in the sixth. After Greene singled and stole second, Max walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch.
Abby Laskowski and
Hailey Stanford then delivered back-to-back RBI singles to give the Bison a 5–3 edge.
The Rangers made it interesting in the sixth with an RBI single from Delaynie Esterly, but Shaffer (14–2) buckled down and got the necessary outs. By game's end, she struck out 10 while scattering seven hits over 7.0 innings.
Greene and Wells led the offense with two hits apiece, while Max reached base four times.
OBU's next GAC series will be a crucial one. This coming weekend (April 11-12), the team will head to first-place Harding who currently holds a 33-6 overall record.
