CLEVELAND – Northwest sophomore pitcher Lacey Coats will trade in red and blue for green and white next season after signing with Delta State University on Wednesday morning.

Coats suited up two seasons for the Rangers' softball program and tossed 106 career strikeouts in 137.2 innings pitched and 40 total appearances, ranking within the top 10 in all three categories. The Hernando native also posted a 10-13 overall record in the circle.

Coats gradually developed into the Rangers' primary pitching option as a freshman in 2019 and compiled a 7-11 record with a team-best 3.06 ERA. She struck out 87 batters against 42 walks in 109 innings pitched, completing eight games. 

One of her most solid performances came at the hands of a gritty 1-0 loss at Hinds on April 17, 2019, when Coats struck out seven batters and allowed only one hit in six innings of work. She also posted a career-high eight strikeouts in five complete frames during a 14-4 victory at Coahoma two weeks prior and was one of two Rangers to earn All-MACJC recognition.

In the Rangers' final game before COVID-19 forced the suspension of the 2020 season, Coats tossed a season-best five strikeouts in a complete game performance as Northwest defeated Pearl River 8-3 in the nightcap, earning the conference-opening sweep.

Coats also saw limited appearances at the plate as a freshman but totaled a .409 batting average with two doubles and six RBIs in 22 at-bats.

Coats becomes the second member of the 2020 Northwest softball program to continue her career at the four-year level, joining Delta Claire Newman, who committed to Millsaps College last month.

Delta State competes in the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II level. The Lady Statesmen were 7-15 before the cancellation of the remaining 2020 slate.