Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Northwest combined for a impressive 31 runs on 19 hits as the seventh-ranked Rangers defeated Columbia State on Wednesday afternoon by a pair of 24-1 and 7-5 victories.

Northwest improved to 12-1 on the season with the sweep as the host Chargers fell to 7-12.

In the Rangers' 24-1 victory in Game 1, Northwest scored the most runs in a single game since defeating Coahoma 28-1 in five innings on March 25, 2003. The Rangers' 7-5 win in the nightcap also marked the first extra-inning contest this season.

Northwest will conclude non-conference competition on Friday, March 6 against Mississippi Delta at 2 p.m. and Coahoma at 5 p.m. For their MACJC opener, the Rangers will travel to Jones College on Saturday, March 14.


Game 1 – #7 Northwest 24, Columbia State 1 (5 inn.)

Northwest followed a nine-run first inning with eight runs in the second, setting the tone for a run-rule victory against Columbia State in Wednesday afternoon's first game.

Columbia State led off the game with a walk to Brayland Skinner and a balk would quickly place him at second base. Tucker Richmond made the Chargers pay in the next at-bat, scoring Skinner on a single to right, paving the way for a two-run Kelton Hall homer that put the Rangers ahead 3-0.

Columbia State's disastrous first inning continued with consecutive walks and an error that loaded the bases, setting up three straight bases loaded walks. Richmond then came back up to the plate in his second at-bat of the inning, scoring more runs off a double down the left field line to give Northwest a 9-0 lead.

Northwest continued the bleeding in the second inning by adding eight more runs, including four off bases loaded walks. The Chargers would get a run in the bottom of the third but the Rangers added seven more over the fourth and fifth innings to clinch the whopping 24-1 victory.

Hall finished 3-for-4 in the contest with three RBIs and two off his first inning home run. Richmond, Hammer Franks and Peyton Mills also accounted for two hits apiece and nine RBIs each.

Sophomore Colton Peel went four innings to earn the victory and allowed an unearned run off two hits. The Houston native struck out five Charger batters against a single walk.

Cooper Dowell finished out the final inning for Northwest and struck out one while allowing two hits. 

Columbia State committed five errors in the contest and the Chargers' pitching staff allowed 19 of the Rangers' 24 runs while walking 16 batters.


Game 2 – #7 Northwest 7, Columbia State 5 (9 inn.)

Columbia State spoiled a 7-6 Northwest lead with a run in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, but the Rangers would get two runs in the top of the ninth to earn an extra-inning victory against the Chargers.

Trailing 3-0 after the third inning, the Rangers stormed back for five runs in the top of the fourth after Dylan Hale's grand slam and a Peyton Mills' RBI-double. The Chargers responded right back in the following frame however, as Steven Minter teed off on a solo home run to cut the Rangers' lead down to 5-4.

An error at third base allowed Columbia State to tie the contest at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, but a Tucker Richmond RBI-single and a fielder's choice RBI from Hammer Franks sent Northwest ahead 7-5 in the top of the ninth.

Columbia State delivered one final scare for the Rangers in the bottom of the ninth as a walk and a single set up a pitching change for Northwest. Working with an out, Zach Willingham struck out the final two Charger batters to seal the 7-5 win for Northwest.

Richmond finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI as seven other Rangers scattered a hit each. 

Northwest used five pitchers in the contest with Reed Logsdon and Jackson Smith combining for six strikeouts with three walks and three earned runs in six complete innings. Despite Willingham's efforts in the bottom of the ninth, Trent Bunting's previous appearance of 0.2 innings was enough for the sophomore to be credited with the win in relief.