(***NOTE: Due to the cancellation of the spring sports season by the NJCAA, Northwest is highlighting its sophomore class of baseball, softball and rodeo student-athletes over the coming weeks. Today marks our third Sophomore Spotlight installation, featuring Parker Stinnett and Madison Crosby.)

Departing Northwest sophomores Parker Stinnett and Madison Crosby have a lot in common.

Besides both student-athletes hailing from Oxford and playing at Northwest, Stinnett and Crosby share more than just athletic achievements on the field.

Stinnett, a product of Class 6A baseball powerhouse Oxford High School, made an immediate impact on the Rangers as a freshman and broke into the starting rotation quickly last season. Joined by his older brother and current University of Memphis pitcher Carson, Stinnett posted a 7-3 record in 13 starts and finished with a team-best 2.74 ERA. He struck out 82 batters on the season with four complete games and held opposing batters to a .181 average, catching the eye of numerous Division I programs.

After signing with Mississippi State prior to the start of his sophomore campaign, Stinnett started 2020 the same way he ended 2019, making two starts and posting 11 strikeouts against four walks and four hits in a pair of 10-1 and 7-0 wins against Illinois Central and Southwest Mississippi.

What Stinnett could have accomplished in conference play this season will remain a mystery thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak shortening what was likely a promising season ahead for the 14-1 and eighth-ranked Rangers. Nonetheless, Stinnett remains thankful for his time at Northwest.

"All of this has been a blessing," Stinnett said. "The bus rides, morning workouts, practice, games, everything. I am so thankful that our coaches took a chance on me and helped me grow as a player and as a person. Northwest has meant everything to me and being able to meet all of my teammates and coaches over these two years has been special in itself."

Fellow Oxford alumnus Crosby had a similar story during her two seasons in Senatobia. As one of only two players to start in all 43 contests last season, Crosby capped off her freshman softball season as one of the Rangers' top three hitters with a .309 average, 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 28 RBIs and a .471 slugging percentage. She also proved to be just as dangerous on the bases, stealing nine bags on 11 attempts. 

Crosby started off her sophomore season with a bang, totaling a .368 batting average, 14 hits and a .605 slugging percentage, all three good enough for third on the team. She also was credited with eight RBIs (five in the month of March), two doubles, two triples and a home run, before seeing the season come to an abrupt end.

Although the Rangers missed out on the playoffs in 2019, Northwest arguably would have made a run at a playoff spot in 2020 as the team compiled an 8-6 record with a 2-0 start in MACJC competition and four straight victories in Chelsea Bramlett's first season.

Even with her career cut short, Crosby says she will always remain fond of her time with Northwest, citing the last doubleheader against Pearl River as one of her favorite memories.

"My favorite memory has to be that last series we played as a team," Crosby said. "We all came together and fought hard for two games to sweep our first and only home game against a really competitive Pearl River squad. The thing I will miss most is all the great teammates and people I have met here."

Aside from their athletic accomplishments, both players also made equal impacts in the classroom. Aside from being consistent selections to the president's and vice president's lists over the previous three semesters, Crosby and Stinnett also garnered Academic All-MACJC honors following the conclusion of their freshman seasons.

Additionally, Crosby also received second team NJCAA All-Academic recognition following her freshman season and added a Distinguished Academic All-MACJC to her name.

"It can be really difficult to dedicate time to a sport and your academics," Crosby said. "With Northwest and its resources though, I was able to learn to properly balance my time getting a great education and playing the sport I love. The learning environment is great for both students and student-athletes."

"My teachers also guided me off the field and helped me become a better student," Stinnett added. "Choosing to be a Ranger on the field and in the classroom was one of the best decisions I made."

As model student-athletes, both players will certainly be missed by their respective programs. Regardless of what lies ahead however, the duo will forever hold Northwest in high regard.

"I would advise anyone interested in attending Northwest to work hard and use the resources provided," Crosby said. "All the teachers I had were amazing and they're going to do anything to help their students learn and succeed. I'm glad to be able to use what I learned here to continue my athletic and academic career at MUW."

"Even if you're somewhat considering Northwest as a place to attend college, look deeper into it," Stinnett said. "You will have so many opportunities that come from Northwest and you will not regret coming here."