SENATOBIA – Northwest sophomore right-hander Austin Towles will continue his baseball career at Delta State University next season, giving his pledge to the Statesmen on Wednesday.

Towles was 6-2 with a 3.85 ERA and a shutout in 22 career appearances (11 starts), striking out 47 against 21 walks in 71 combined innings.

The Pope native compiled a 4-2 overall mark and a 3.05 ERA as a freshman, highlighted by a complete-game shutout at Meridian. As a sophomore, he was mostly used in a relief role and finished 2-0 on the mound with 20 strikeouts and only three walks in 16 innings of work.

A product of South Panola High School, Towles went 2-5 in his senior season with a 2.37 ERA, a save and 51 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched for the Tigers.

Towles is the ninth Ranger from this year's class to move on to a four-year program and will join Northwest teammates Jonathan Lindsey and Jamell Newson at DSU.

Other Rangers heading to the next level include LeeMarcus Boyd (USM), Colt Smith (USM), Peyton Plumlee (Mississippi State), Hunter Lacefield (Mississippi College), Hunter Wilson (Mississippi College) and J.R. Miller (Union University).

Learn more about the baseball program on Twitter @NWCCBaseball or online at www.nwccrangers.com.