SENATOBIA - Another strong outing from freshman
Gabby Dickerson propelled No. 9 Northwest to a victory in Game 1 against sixth-ranked Kirkwood, but the Eagles got the best of the Rangers in the second game in Thursday's non-conference finale.
Dickerson struck out nine batters against three walks and pitched the complete game, improving to 6-0 in her collegiate career. For the season, she has tossed 35 strikeouts and sports a 1.60 ERA heading into conference play.
At the plate, the Rangers were led by
Molly Harris, who finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI.
Saige Koczka hit the only homer of the day for Northwest, a two-run shot that came in the bottom of the first in Game 2.
With the start of conference play now looming, Northwest holds a 10-2 overall record heading into Sunday's conference opener against #12 Pearl River. The doubleheader is scheduled for 12/2 P.M. at the Senatobia Sports Park, with coverage available on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) and Facebook Live.
Game 1 - #9 Northwest 2, #6 Kirkwood 1
In what turned out to be a true pitchers' duel between both programs, it was Northwest that got the best of Kirkwood in a 2-1 victory, thanks to Dickerson's dominant effort in the circle.
Dickerson's nine strikeouts became a new career-high for the Olive Branch native, who improved to 6-0 in the circle with the win.
Northwest delivered the first blow in the bottom of the sixth, beginning with a single from
Maddie Brower. Harris would then score Brower on a deep double to right center, giving the Rangers the 1-0 lead.
Kirkwood pitcher Kori Wedeking would settle in for the Eagles the rest of the way, but not before the Rangers added another run in the third inning off
McKaylee Polk's single through the left side.
Leading 2-0 after three complete, Northwest would surrender its only run in the top of the fourth as Dickerson surrendered a leadoff double from Peggy Klingler. After a passed ball advanced Klingler to third, the Eagles would bring her across the plate on Alecea Mendoza's grounder to second, closing the gap to 2-1.
Although Kirkwood threatened to tie or take the lead in the fifth inning, Dickerson and the Rangers were able to keep the opponents off the board over the final three innings, sealing the victory for Northwest.
Kirkwood outhit Northwest 6-5 in the contest, but committed three costly errors. Brower finished 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Rangers, while Harris, Polk and
Caylee Comer accounted for one hit each.
Grace Lubben finished 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Kirkwood.
Game 2 - #6 Kirkwood 9, #9 Northwest 4
Mendoza's grand slam in the fifth inning made the ultimate difference in Game 2, as Northwest tried to rally back late but fell short in a 9-4 loss to Kirkwood.
Meagan Allen delivered a pair of strikeouts to open the contest, but the Eagles quickly found some momentum with two outs, taking advantage of a single and a walk. Emilee Linder would then deliver a two-run double to past the shortstop to give Kirkwood the early 2-0 lead.
Saige Koczka's two run shot into left center helped tie the game in the bottom of the first, but an RBI-double from Chelsea Buck in the second got the Eagles back in front, 3-2.
Northwest responded again in the bottom of the second as Allen dropped a single into center field. Comer would score on the same play, as the outfielder misplayed an attempt to glove the ball, tying the game back up at 3-3.
Once again, the Eagles took the lead in the next inning, as Linder RBI-single up the middle made it a 4-3 deficit for the Rangers. Kirkwood pitcher Payton Akers would then keep Northwest off the board over the next two innings, helping the Eagles maintain the lead.
Kirkwood broke the game open for good in the top of the fifth inning, as three walks loaded the bases with one out. With two outs in the inning and a pitching change to
Kylee Brown, Mendoza delivered the dagger with her grand slam to center, stretching the Eagles lead to 8-3.
With Northwest held scoreless in the fifth, another rocky start to the sixth inning led Kirkwood to score another run, pushing the Eagles' lead to 9-3.
Down to its last three outs in the home half of the seventh, Northwest tried to rally back after a leadoff double from Comer. An error by the first baseman in
Randi Johnson's at-bat helped Comer score to cut the deficit to 9-4.
However, the rally was cut short with two quick outs from the Eagles and after walking Koczka, Brower would groundout to second for the third and final out.
Kirkwood finished with nine hits in the contest, as the Eagles' pitching staff held the Rangers to six. Mendoza finished 3-for-4 to lead Kirkwood at the plate, while Linder and Reagan Schutte added two hits apiece.
Allen was handed the loss for the Rangers, dropping to 2-2 on the season. The Lepanto, Ark. native struck out seven batters against four walks, but allowed eight runs in the contest.
Akers tossed nine strikeouts in six complete frames to earn the win for Kirkwood. Kara Maiers polished things off in the seventh for the Eagles.
