WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Northwestern Oklahoma State scored five runs in the first two innings, then held on late to beat Midwestern State, 5-3, on Friday afternoon at the MSU Texas Invitational held at Mustangs Park.

The first four batters reached for the Rangers in the top of the first. Following a walk and a pair of errors, Morgan La Ne singled to third to drive in the first run of the ballgame. The Rangers added two more runs in the inning to take a 3-0 lead. 

MSU Texas quickly got a run back in the bottom of the frame on a Lauren Lindgren sacrifice fly but ran themselves out of a bigger inning when Caycee Griffin was doubled off first on an infield popup with the bases loaded and one out.

Alexus Bailey's two-run home run in the second made it 5-1 in favor of Northwestern Oklahoma State. 

The game stayed 5-1 until the bottom of the seventh when Lindgren ripped a two-out, two-run double off the base of the centerfield fence to close the gap to 5-3. Bailey Brenek followed with a walk and a passed ball put the tying runs in scoring position for Katlyn Frakes. The junior's flare to shallow left was caught by Bailey to end the game.

Mattye Tyler dropped to 0-4 on the season. The right-hander surrendered five runs (three earned) in 1.2 innings.

Kathryn Wells (3 1/3 innings) and Jacey Henry (two innings) combined to throw 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The Maroon and Gold continue play at the MSU Texas Invitational on Saturday night against Southwestern Oklahoma State. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.