SENATOBIA – For the first time since early March, the Northwest baseball program will take the field this week for a pair of intrasquad contests on Tuesday and Thursday at Jim Miles Field.

Both exhibitions will begin at 6:45 each evening, marking the start of the fall schedule for coach Mark Carson's club.

"We are just so excited to be back playing baseball," Carson said. "It has been a long few months with COVID-19 canceling the 2020 season, so we're glad to be back around each other. This year's team will be an exciting one to watch and we're ready to get the ball rolling this fall in developing these guys for what's ahead in the spring."

Additionally, the Rangers have eight games against outside competition, including three doubleheaders. Northwest is slated to take on fellow MACCC rivals Copiah-Lincoln and Northeast at Delta State University on Friday, Sept. 25, before hosting Meridian for a 1/4 p.m. twinbill on Friday, October 2.

Northwest also has doubleheaders scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Vicksburg and Friday, Oct. 16 in Millington, Tenn. against opponents yet to be determined.

Despite a premature end to the 2020 season, Northwest finished 14-1 overall with a No. 8 national ranking and the best start in program history. A total of six players signed to four-year colleges and universities, including right-hander Parker Stinnett and outfielder Brayland Skinner (Mississippi State), left-hander Dalton Fowler (Oklahoma), right-hander Landon Zizmann (Delta State), right-hander Jackson Smith (Mississippi College) and right-hander Trent Bunting (Arkansas Monticello).

Several key pieces are returning off last spring's loaded roster, including infielders Kelton Hall, Peyton Mills and Tucker Richmond, outfielder Hammer Franks and pitcher Colton Peel.

For more information and to stay updated on schedule changes, follow the Rangers on Twitter @NWCC_Rangers and @NWCCBaseball.