From NWOSU Sports Info.
Bryan Holmgren, Sports Information Director
ALVA – The Northwestern Oklahoma State softball team pounded out four more homeruns – numbers 44-47 on the year, if you’re keeping track – to set a new single-season school record, during a doubleheader sweep of Newman (Kan.).
All nine starters had at least one hit in each of the two wins. Northwestern took the first game in run-rule fashion, 10-0 in five innings, then staked a 9-2 victory in the nightcap.
Shelby Anderson and Megan Sanders each hit homeruns in game one.
Anderson hit a solo shot in the first to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Sanders’ three-run blast came during a six-run third-inning outburst, during which the home team sent 11 batters to the plate.
Anderson sent a lazer beam over the fence in right center in the third inning of game – helping produce another six-spot for the hosts. It was her 14th homerun of the year and Northwestern’s 46th overall, tying the school’s single season mark set in 2009.
The Rangers didn’t have to wait long to claim the record outright. Lindsay Thorstenson added a solo homer – her 10th of the year – in the very next inning.
Thorstenson is now alone in the fourth place on the individual list, trailing Jeana Hancock (11 in both 2008 and 2009) and her teammate, Anderson.
Five Ranger players drove in at least three runs on Tuesday, led by Anderson’s five RBI. Sanders drove in four to go with three apiece from Sly Kelley, Tiffany Santistevan and Thorstenson.
Anderson pitched five shutout innings in the opener to improve to 15-3 on the year. Kellie Mason gave up just one run (unearned) on three hits in 3.0 innings of work in game two. Erin Norrie pitched the final four innings, surrendering just one hit, for her first collegiate victory.
Northwestern’s 25-10 mark through 35 games is tied for the best start in school history. The 2004 Rangers also opened 25-10, then won seven of their next eight to reach 32-11.
The Rangers hit the road this weekend for a four-game conference set against Arkansas Tech.