MERIDIAN – Behind two complete games from freshman Tori Luke, Northwest swept Meridian by a pair of 6-1 finals on Saturday afternoon to stay alive in the MACJC playoff hunt.

Northwest improved to 18-16 overall and 12-14 in conference play and continues to fight for the No. 8 and final seed of the upcoming MACJC Playoffs. Meridian fell to 11-27 and 8-16 in the MACJC.

(Game 1) Northwest got on the board with one run in each of the first six innings and downed Meridian 6-1.

Erin Claire Stegall got the scoring started for the Rangers in the top of the first with a fielder's choice to the shortstop that scored Sallie Rose Carver from third. Carver then extended the Northwest lead to 2-0 in the top of the second on an RBI-groundout that allowed Olivia Owen to score.

After Heath Griffith hit her team-leading fifth home run of the season with a solo shot in the top of the third, Meridian responded with Mia Johnson's RBI-single to cut the Rangers' lead to 3-1. That was as close as Meridian would come in the first game, however, as the Rangers scored three runs over the next three innings to take the 6-1 decision.

Luke collected her ninth win of the season for Northwest and scattered seven hits, while allowing just one run. She also surrendered one walk and struck out five Meridian batters.

Carver finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs while Stegall and Hailee Kolwyck each finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. As a team, Northwest out-hit Meridian 12-7.

(Game 2) A five-run third inning helped propel Northwest to the 6-1 victory in the second half of the conference twinbill.

Kayla Andrada opened the big inning for the Rangers by reaching on an error from the third baseman. Carver followed with an RBI-single that brought home pinch runner Makenzie Crutcher for the 1-0 Northwest lead. The Rangers followed with four more runs in the inning, thanks to Kolwyck's two-run RBI-double and RBIs from Stegall and Luke.

Trailing 5-0, Meridian notched a run in the bottom of the fourth with Johnson's solo home run. Northwest delivered the final blow in the fifth, though, as Kailey Walker scored on a passed ball to extend the Rangers' lead to 6-1.

Kolwyck was the big hitter for the Rangers in Game 2, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Walker also finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a stolen base.

Luke improved her record to 10-7 in the circle and gave up one run on four hits, while issuing two walks.

Northwest will conclude the regular season on Monday, April 18 at East Mississippi (17-21, 12-14 MACJC). The Rangers must sweep the Lady Lions to clinch the No. 8 seed.

First pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Scooba. Watch the doubleheader live at www.emccathletics.com/live.