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ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - After winning its first GAC series of the season against Southwestern Oklahoma State, Henderson State will welcome its first conference opponent, the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers, to Clyde Berry Field this weekend for a three-game series.
The Reddies and the Rangers will meet for a doubleheader Friday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. with the final game coming Saturday, Feb. 24 at 12 p.m.
REDDIES REPORT (6-6, 2-1 GAC)
Henderson State combined for 21 hits in the first two games against Southwestern Oklahoma State in the GAC opener, leading HSU to take the first two contests, 9-5 and 13-5. In the initial game,
Owen Vanthillo earned the four-inning save on the mound in relief of
Kyle Williams, throwing the final four frames while giving up just four hits and one run while picking up a pair of strikeouts.
In between the SWOSU series win and this weekend's showcase with NWOSU, Henderson fell in a midweek game against Delta State in extra innings, 10-7. While the Statesmen recorded more errors than HSU, they did post 11 hits to the Reddies' 10, including four doubles, a triple and a home run. Trailing 3-0 after two innings, Henderson fought back to 6-6 in the eighth and again at 7-7 in the ninth, but a three-run tenth inning for DSU proved too much to overcome.
With 12 games under their belt, Henderson State's offense has been the driving force. The Reddies as a team are hitting .297, which is sixth in the GAC, while having delivered a league-most 120 hits. Assisting in those 120 hits has been first baseman
Luke Rice, who paces the conference with 21 hits while hitting .457. Against Delta State, Rice recorded his fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. In those six games, the North Little Rock, Arkansas, native has 14 hits.
Henderson State has won each of the last two series' against Northwestern Oklahoma State while having not lost a home GAC series to the Rangers since 2018. The last time these two teams played in Arkadelphia, infielder
Dillon Thomas ended the weekend with three hits in two games. The Reddies lead the all-time series against NWOSU, 20-9.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE (10-2, 2-1 GAC)
Northwestern Oklahoma State is off to its best 12-game start since 2019. Like Henderson, Northwestern also won its GAC-opening series, taking two games of three against Ouachita Baptist. After dropping the first contest, NWOSU took games two and three by a combined six runs for the series victory.
As a team, the Rangers are hitting .313, which is third in the GAC, while having also recorded a conference-second most 16 home runs. Junior Colby Grace, who is second on the team with a .350 batting average, leads the team with five home runs in 12 games played. Pacing the Ranger hitters is fellow junior Dylan Bradford, who is leading the squad with 19 hits while hitting .422.
Northwestern's three starters on the bump all have an ERA of 4.73 or higher, while the rest of its bullpen brings the Rangers' team ERA down to 4.32. Garrett DeHaas, who started game one against Ouachita Baptist, carries a 4.73 ERA with a team-high 10 strikeouts in 13.1 innings of work. Despite his three starts, DeHaas has not earned a decision yet this season with a 0-0 win-loss record.
