ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers softball team opened a four game series versus Northwestern Oklahoma State, coming up short in the opening doubleheader by a final of 5-2 in game one and 4-1 one in games two. The losses drop the Tigers to 9-24 overall and 3-22 in conference play. 

The Tigers offense churned out seven hits in game one, led by Macy Nantz. Nantz went 3-3 with a double and a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth inning. Her shot over the centerfield wall put Ouachita on the scoreboard after falling behind 5-0. Her double in the bottom of the sixth led to the Tigers second run of the game. Nantz was replaced by pinch runner Chelsea Wilson. Wilson advanced to third on a single by Kate Lacina and would score on some crafty base running by Lacina.

In the circle, Nantz went 4.2 innings allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits. She struck out three in the loss. Kelsey O'Brien and Marissa Butler combined for 2.1 innings in relief allowing no runs on one hit. 

In game two, Ouachita took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Kelly Powell drew a lead-off walk and promptly advanced to second a stolen base, her sixth of the season. Macy Nantz singled to right for her fourth hit on the day, allowing Powell to move to third. A sacrifice bunt by Emily Acuna scored Powell.

Starter Kelsey O'Brien held the Rangers scoreless through the first three innings. Northwestern scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning on three hits to take a 2-1 lead. A two-run homerun by Northwestern in the top of the fifth put the Tigers down 4-1.

O'Brien went five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Marissa Butler pitched two inning in relief in game two. She allowed two hits and no runs. Sarah Johnson recorded the only the other hit for Ouachita, a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth. 

The two teams will meet tomorrow for a doubleheader at Sully Anderson Field to close out the series. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.