FULTON – Despite only eight hits combined on the day, it was timely hitting and solid pitching that carried Northwest past Itawamba on Thursday, 4-0 and 3-2, to take over sole possession of first place in the MACJC North Division with six games remaining.

Northwest improved to 22-6 overall and 15-3 in the division while Itawamba fell to 22-10 and 14-5 in the north.

(Game 1) Kendall Alford's RBI in the first off an error gave Northwest an early 1-0 lead that they never would relinquish. 

The lead held true into the sixth before a three-run inning broke the game wide open at 4-0. The Rangers sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs off just one hit and an error. Drennan Nemnich reached on an error which scored a pair and Rae Drewrey came around to score after a fielder's choice and wild pitch.

Kiley Dunagan (7-1) cruised in the circle, scattering three hits, no runs, six strikeouts and four walks on 148 pitches.

ICC ace Hannah Johnson (12-3) took the loss despite allowing only two hits and no earned runs (four unearned).

(Game 2) Northwest took a 3-1 lead after two in the finale and rode the arm of Jessica Holliday (7-1) who scattered eight hits, two runs, a walk and four strikeouts. Dunagan got the game's final out for her second save.

A double steal from Alford and Erin Claire Stegall plated the opening run for Northwest in the first and they would add two more in the second off Brittany Rochelle's RBI-triple and another ICC error. 

ICC cut the deficit to 3-2 off Cara Hopper's RBI-groundout in the fourth but would get no closer after stranding a runner at third in the fifth and the bases loaded in the seventh.

Weather permitting, Northwest will travel to Goodman on Saturday, April 11 for a noon doubleheader.