CHARLOTTE – Unranked in the NJCAA Division II Baseball Preseason Poll, but off to a solid 8-2 start under head coach Mark Carson, Northwest has earned a No. 20 ranking in the first poll of the regular season released Tuesday.

Northwest is one of five ranked teams from the MACJC, including Jones (4), Pearl River (5), Meridian (7) and Itawamba (15).

The Rangers' two losses have come to Copiah-Lincoln, receiving votes in this week's poll, and previously No. 16-ranked Southeastern Iowa.

Led by freshmen Kelton Hall (.435) and Peyton Mills (.409), the Rangers are hitting .312 as a team through 10 games with 19 doubles, two triples and 11 home runs.

On the mound, Northwest's staff boasts a 3.49 ERA and has held opponents to a .228 average while striking out a combined 89 batters.

Northwest is in action today at Southwest Tennessee and returns home on Thursday to host Mississippi Delta and Coahoma in a three-way tripleheader.

Follow the team all season long at nwccrangers.com and on Twitter @NWCCBaseball.