(***NOTE: Due to the cancellation of the spring sports season by the NJCAA, we will be highlighting our sophomore class of baseball, softball and rodeo student-athletes over the coming weeks. Our first installation features redshirt sophomore outfielder Brayland Skinner and sophomore pitcher Lacey Coats.)

Although their respective seasons were prematurely cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, departing sophomores Brayland Skinner and Lacey Coats certainly left their impact on the baseball and softball programs at Northwest during their two seasons in Senatobia.

A redshirt sophomore outfielder from Lake Cormorant High School, Skinner sat out his first season in 2018 before gaining a starting role in the Rangers' outfield for the 2019 campaign. Following a successful prep career in which he helped the Gators to the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs, Skinner carried over his talents to center field, finishing as the Rangers' second-leading hitter in 2019, compiling a .369 batting average with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 16 RBIs in 46 games played.

His best overall performance of the 2019 season came in a loss to Jones College, where he finished 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, a walk and two RBIs. For the season, he reached base 68 times and led the team with 16 steals on 20 attempts and earned recognition as a first team All-MACJC selection.

Despite seeing a promising sophomore campaign cut short, Skinner remained a pivotal piece of the Northwest lineup in 2020. Through 15 games, Skinner played in 13 contests and hit .324 with two doubles, a triple and eight RBIs in 37 at bats. He was also walked 16 times for a .554 on-base percentage, earning 12 stolen bases on the limited season.

"He has an absolute unmatched work ethic," Northwest head baseball coach Mark Carson said, on Skinner. "He just loves to compete."

Much like Skinner, sophomore pitcher Lacey Coats also left a similar impact during her time with the Northwest softball program. During a tough eight-win campaign, the Hernando native shined bright as a freshman, earning 10 starts in 18 games while developing into the primary pitching option for the Rangers. As one of two Ranger softball players to earn All-MACJC honors in 2019, Coats compiled a 7-11 overall record and a team-best 3.06 ERA, striking out 87 batters against 42 walks in 109 innings pitched.

Although she had limited appearances at the plate, Coats proved to be just as effective with the bat in her hand, hitting .409 with two doubles, six RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage.

During her limited sophomore season, Coats battled through a rocky 1-3 start in the circle before rebounding for three straight wins, one coming against Southwest Tennessee and the other two in a conference doubleheader against Pearl River. For the abbreviated 2020 season, she finished 4-3 with a save and 23 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched.

Even with both of their accomplishments on the field, both players say that their memories of Northwest go much deeper than any single game could provide.

"The best thing about Northwest was being able to build a bond and become brothers with guys you didn't know before," Skinner said. "Northwest will always mean a lot to me. It was a place that taught me how to be strong through the toughest times. I will miss being on the field with my boys and also playing in front of everyone that supported me."

"One of my favorite memories actually came in a practice," Coats said. "We had an early morning practice at 6 a.m. and we got there and laced up our cleats, only to remember that it wasn't bright enough to see yet to throw the ball. So we just ran until the sun came up."

One thing Coats says she will miss the most about Northwest is the support shown from professors and the level of involvement and care the staff showed to the student-athletes.

"I will miss my team, the field, my coaches and everyone who supported us during our two seasons at Northwest," Coats said. "One piece of advice I would give to anyone is don't wish it away too fast. You will never fully realize how much you miss something until it's taken away from you. Every experience is what you make of it, so make the most out of your time in anything that you do."