SCOOBA – Northwest scored a combined 18 runs off 18 hits and tallied 13 more stolen bases to sweep a doubleheader at East Mississippi on Saturday, by 8-2 and 10-2 finals (6 inn.), in the division opener for both teams.
Northwest improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the division while EMCC fell to 2-10 overall and 0-2 in the north.
(Game 1) The Rangers had eight runs off seven hits and capitalized off two errors by the Lady Lions to take the opening game of the day.
Hanna Hunter led off the game with a walk, stole second, reached third on a passed ball and then scored off a sac fly by
Kendall Alford to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead after one.
Northwest added a home run by
Carla Avant in the second and two more runs in the fourth.
Northwest continued to powerhouse through the Lady Lions with one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh. The last runs of the game came from Hunter after reaching on an error, resulting in
Brittany Rochelle and
Micalah Beall's runs.
EMCC was able to finally make it around the bases once during the fifth and sixth innings.
Thirteen different Rangers had a hit in the opening game of the day.
Kiley Dunagan (2-1) was credited with the win after six innings of work, striking out four and allowing two runs while
Ashton Needham finished the last inning, facing four batters and walking one.
Chandler Ellis (1-3) took the loss after four innings of work in the circle, giving up six runs off four hits. Jenny Reynolds was EMCC's relief, putting in three innings of work and giving up two runs.
(Game 2) The Rangers wasted no time in the nightcap in a run-rule win, scoring seven runs in the first two innings and putting the game out of reach.
The Rangers were aided by three Lady Lion errors in the first two innings and five total for the game. Alford, Holliday and
Olivia Owen were all credited with RBIs in the first, and as part of a three-run second, Alford and Holliday added another RBI apiece.
EMCC mustered up a run in the fourth and fifth innings, however, Northwest capped the scoring with one more run in the sixth on a Beall RBI-groundout to invoke the run-rule.
Jessica Holliday (2-0) was credited with the win after putting in four innings of work, scattering one run and four strikeouts. Beall threw the last two innings, giving up one run and two hits while striking out two.
Valiree Blair (0-5) gave up nine runs and hits during four innings of work in the circle. Logan Smith finished the game for EMCC with two innings of work and only giving up one run and two hits.
Northwest pushed its stolen base total up to 26-for-28 attempted so far this season.
Weather permitting, Northwest will host Itawamba at 1/3 p.m. on Tuesday for its home-opener.
