GOODMAN – Northwest capped a 6-2 week with a split at Holmes on Saturday, dropping the opener 4-1 but bouncing back for a 4-0 win in game two behind a complete game shutout by Jessica Holliday. 

Northwest moved to 23-7 overall and 16-4 in the north while Holmes moved to 18-12 overall and 11-9 in the division. The Rangers won the season series 3-1 and lead the division by one game with four to play.

(Game 1) Kassey Ard (10-5) tossed a complete game, five-hitter, striking out six and allowing one run to lift Holmes to a 4-1 win.

Kelsey Kelly's leadoff home run in the first set the tone early for the Lady Bulldogs and they would add a single run in the third on a squeeze bunt and two more in the sixth off Blair Little's two-run homer.

Northwest's lone run came off Carla Avant's solo blast to leadoff the seventh.

(Game 2) Holliday threw a gem in the finale to help the Rangers earn a split, scattering six hits, no runs and six strikeouts.

Northwest broke a scoreless tie in the third off Avant's infield single, scoring Brittany Rochelle after a one-out single.

Holliday added a sac fly for a run in the fifth and the Rangers put it away with two in the seventh off a Holmes throwing error and another Holliday RBI on a one-out double.

Eight Rangers combined for 11 hits in the victory, led by two hits apiece from Avant, Holliday and Micalah Beall.  

Northwest will travel to Booneville on Tuesday, April 14 for a 2 p.m. first pitch against Northeast.