BOONEVILLE - Behind a no-hitter from freshman Gabby Dickerson and a pair of heavy-hitting performances, Northwest was able to earn a pair of run-rule victories against No. 11 Three Rivers and Bevill State in Wednesday's Northeast TigerFest doubleheader.

Dickerson, a freshman from Olive Branch, improved to 4-0 on the season and held Three Rivers scoreless through five innings, allowing the Rangers to avenge Tuesday afternoon's loss to the Raiders. Northwest also smashed out 11 hits in the contest and followed that up with a 13-hit effort against Bevill State, finishing the tournament slate at 3-1.

With the wins, Northwest improved to 7-1 on the season, good for the program's best start since 2007. The Rangers will be back in action on Thursday, February 24 for a 2/4 P.M. doubleheader against Jackson State (Tenn.) at the Senatobia Sports Park.


Game 1 - Northwest 8, #11 Three Rivers 0 (5 inn.)

Less than 24 hours removed from a career-high seven-strikeout performance against Calhoun, Dickerson was nearly unstoppable for Northwest, tossing a no-hitter with three strikeouts in an 8-0 victory for the Rangers.

After leaving a pair of runners stranded in scoring position to open the contest, Northwest followed through in the top of the second inning, as Bailey Russell's RBI-single allowed Kaitlyn Bednarek to score from second to bring in the Rangers' first run.

Saige Koczka would follow Russell's hit with a bunt single and Maddie Brower would bring in another run with a sac fly to left, making it a 3-0 lead for Northwest.

As Dickerson kept the Raiders off the board, Northwest continued the scoring in the fourth, starting with a two-run single from Molly Harris. Bednarek continued the fun with a two-run double to the left field wall, stretching the Rangers' lead to 7-0.

Laila Armstrong delivered the final blow in the top of the fifth, scoring on a wild pitch, while Dickerson slammed the door in the bottom frame to solidify the shutout.

For as solid as Dickerson's effort was in the circle, the Rangers also brought the power to the plate, finishing with 11 total hits. Armstrong led the charge by going 3-for-4, followed by similar 2-for-3 efforts from Bednarek and Harris.


Game 2 - Northwest 13, Bevill State 3 (5 inn.)

Although Bevill State opened the game with the lead, it was Northwest that got the last laugh in a 13-3 victory against the Bears.

Trailing 1-0 after the top of the first, the Rangers smashed out five runs in the bottom frame and three more in the second to take an 8-1 advantage.

Bevill State struck back with a pair of runs in the top of the third, but Northwest put the game out of reach with a five-run performance in the bottom of the third.

Northwest finished with 12 hits in the contest, led by two apiece from Armstrong and Harris and one apiece from Bednarek, Brower, Koczka, Meagan Allen, Jaclyn Carter, Gracie Mettetal, Meredith Owen and McKaylee Polk. 

Freshman Kylee Brown got the start in the circle and threw two innings with a strikeout, while improving her record to 2-0. Allen tossed the next two innings with a strikeout, while Randi Johnson pitched the final inning with a strikeout. Read Full Article