Ranger sweeps season opener at home against Western Texas

RANGER, TX - The Rangers started the season with a bang on Tuesday as they swept the two-game set vs. Western Texas College 15-1 and 12-4, respectfully.  Freshman Bri Kowal made a statement as she homered once in each game to begin her collegiate career, leading an offensive explosion of 28 hits and 27 runs on the day.

 Game 1 - Western Texas College produced one run in the top of the 1st inning on a pair of singles by Priscilla Guzman and Kawena Cabrera along with one Ranger miscue to take an early 1-0 lead.  Ranger finished the inning with a double play to prevent any additional damage.   

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Ranger responded loudly with a 5-run surge led by freshman Lindsey Honeycutt whose double drove in the first run of the season.  Additional hits in the inning by Madi Stark, Riley Saegert and Macey Marino ensured a quick lead change in favor of the home team. 

Ranger would never look back as they produced 10 more runs over the next four innings to win game 1 by run-rule.  

Abi Haston, Mackenzie Stark, Riley Saegert, Macey Marino and Krista Cuevas all finished with 2 hits.

Briana Kowal hit the Ranger's lone homerun.

Julia Wright picked up the win, throwing 5-innings and surrendering 1 earned run on 5 hits.  Wright also struck out 2 batters and issued 0 walks.

Game 2 - Kowal once again went deep to put Ranger ahead early against Western Texas.  Kowal was followed by sophomore Shelby Neatherlin who mimicked the result the very next inning with her own homerun to centerfield.  

Western Texas strung together a series of hits capped off with a 2-run homerun by Bailey McAlpine to chip away at the lead in the 5th inning.  However, the Ranger offense responded with another 5-run outburst led by Macey Marino's leadoff double to take the walk-off win by run-rule.

Doubles by Kowal, Marino, Madi Stark and Nina Hernandez ensured the quick victory in game two.  

Freshman Lindsey Honeycutt threw all 5 innings to earn the win, issuing 4 earned runs on 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5 Westerner batters.  

Ranger continues play this weekend at the Cowtown Classic in Ft. Worth facing #20 Cowley County CC, #2 Butler CC and Navarro College on Friday.