POPLARVILLE – Northwest opened the 2017 softball season at the Pearl River Wildcat Invitational on Friday, falling 8-0 to Calhoun and 9-0 to Marion Military Institute in five innings.

Northwest committed four errors in the loss to Calhoun, with only three of the eight runs earned.

Makenzie Smith hit a three-run home run over the centerfield wall to give the Warhawks a 4-0 lead in the third and Calhoun added three more in the fifth for the run-rule win. Northwest was held to Sallie Rose Carver's lone hit. 

Harley Smith scattered five hits, five runs (three earned), a walk and a strikeout in her Ranger debut. Tori Luke tossed the final 1.1 innings, allowing three unearned runs.

In the afternoon matchup with MMI, Northwest loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the first but was unable to score. That set the tone, as MMI took advantage by scoring nine runs the ensuing three innings for the run-rule win. 

Amanda Ingram held Northwest to one hit again, allowing Kailey Walker's leadoff double in the first before retiring 14 straight to end the game.

Leeah Henson took the loss in her first collegiate start, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits in two innings before making way for Smith and Carver. 

Northwest will travel to Holmes on Tuesday, facing the host Lady Bulldogs at 12 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matchup against Mississippi Delta. Live stats will be available for both games.