CHARLOTTE - Just a month into its season, the Northwest softball program is already making history yet again.

After a 7-1 start that featured four run-rule victories and a win against No. 11 Three Rivers College, the Rangers have broken into the NJCAA Division II softball rankings, earning a new program-best No. 9 overall ranking.

Not only is the No. 9 ranking the highest-ever by the program, but it also marks the Rangers' first appearance in the top 10. The previous highest ranking was No. 12 overall, which occurred on May 7, 2007. 

Northwest was one of six other MACCC schools represented in the latest rankings, joining No. 2 Itawamba, No. 5 Copiah-Lincoln and No. 6 Jones College, followed by 13th-ranked Pearl River, No. 17 Mississippi Gulf Coast and 18th-ranked Southwest Mississippi.

Phoenix College (Ariz.) took the top spot in this week's poll, earning the No. 1 overall slot after a 12-2 start to the season. ICC, Des Moines, Kirkwood and Copiah-Lincoln rounded out the top five.

Northwest will return to the field tomorrow after a nearly two-week hiatus, welcoming Jackson State (Tenn.) for a 1/3 P.M. doubleheader at the Senatobia Sports Park.