OXFORD, Ala. - A five-run rally from Pima in the bottom of the sixth inning put an end to the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series run for Northwest, as the Rangers fell 6-5 in Thursday morning's elimination contest.
Northwest came out swinging in the early stages of the game, taking a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning, thanks to a triple from
Carly Dunigan and a single to left field from
Addison Owen. The Rangers added to their lead in the second inning, thanks to Owen's groundout with the bases loaded, which scored
Kaylee Reed.
Pima responded in the bottom of the third inning, breaking up the shutout thanks to an error by the shortstop. However, Northwest answered back with a bases-loaded walk to
Lulu Franks in the fourth, stretching the Rangers' lead to 4-1.
Franks again added to the Northwest lead in the sixth inning, as her single down the left field line scored
Sommer Tyes, pushing the Rangers to a 5-1 advantage.
With six outs remaining, things seemed to be in control for Northwest. However, the Aztecs began wrecking the Rangers' plans in the bottom of the sixth, as Jiselle Nuñez led off the frame with a ground-rule double to center field. Back-to-back passed balls sent Nuñez across the plate and Pima then drew a walk and an RBI-double from Natalya Rivera, pulling within a 5-3 deficit.
A sacrifice bunt helped Northwest get the first out of the inning and a strikeout followed, putting the light at the end of the tunnel for the Rangers. That's when the Aztecs got back-to-back singles to pull within a run and Talia Martin smacked a triple to center field, bringing in the tying and go-ahead runs for Pima.
With the tables turned, Northwest was down to its final out in the top of the seventh, but
Thenya Kennedy reached base on a fielder's choice to keep the Rangers' rally hopes alive.
Ellie Fryar then delivered a single through the left side, which cemented the sophomore as the program's single-season record-holder in hits (78), surpassing Laila Armstrong's previous record of 77.
However, the comeback effort was halted on the next at-bat, as a pop fly to center field solidified the comeback for Pima.
Northwest finished the game with eight base hits, led by Fryar's 2-for-4 effort. Dunigan also finished 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI, becoming the Rangers' single-season (10) and career record-holder in triples (13). Fryar finished second in both categories.
Meanwhile, Owen also polished off her last game with a 2-for-4 effort and a pair of RBIs.
Morgen Brewton tossed five innings in the circle, striking out five batters and allowing three walks.
Abby Rogers (11-8) was handed the loss, but struck out two batters in her one inning of relief.
Jessica Thompson (14-0) picked up the win in relief for the Aztecs, allowing just two runs and issuing four strikeouts in five complete frames. Arianna Flores started in the circle, but was pulled after allowing three earned runs and three walks in two innings.
Martin led the hitting efforts for Pima, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.
With the loss, Northwest ended its season at 44-12 overall, the best record in the program's history. The Rangers also finished as one of eight remaining teams in a 20-team national tournament field.
