MERIDIAN - Although Northwest certainly took care of business at the plate, it was the combined efforts of Gabby Dickerson and Meagan Allen in the circle that made the difference in the 11th-ranked Rangers' sweep of Meridian on Saturday.

Dickerson tossed all seven innings of the opener, throwing a season-best 13 strikeouts against three walks in a 7-2 victory against the Eagles. Allen went the distance in Game 2, tossing seven strikeouts and collecting her first shutout of the season, as the Rangers took the 10-0 decision.

Northwest finished with eight hits in Game 1, but totaled 14 hits in the nightcap, marking the 12th game this season where the Rangers have earned 10 or more hits. The Rangers improved to 16-6 overall and 6-4 in MACCC competition, while Meridian fell to 8-15 on the season and 0-10 in conference play.

Next up for Northwest is a Tuesday twinbill at Northeast on March 29 at 2/5 P.M. Both games in Booneville will be carried live on nemcctv.com.


Game 1 - #11 Northwest 7, Meridian 2

Northwest collected eight hits as Dickerson dealt 13 strikeouts in the Rangers' 7-2 victory at Meridian.

Northwest jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top half of the first inning, thanks to a sac fly from Molly Harris, a groundout from Maddie Brower and a bases-loaded walk to Caylee Comer. The Rangers were held scoreless in the second, before tacking on two runs in the top half of the third with McKaylee Polk's solo home run and a passed ball that allowed Brower to score from third.

Leading 5-0, the Rangers added another run in the fourth as Anna Nickens allowed Kylie Gurley to score from third, extending the Northwest lead to 6-0.

Meridian would finally get on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, but Northwest responded on an RBI-single from Harris in the top half of the seventh, pushing the lead to 7-1. The Eagles gained another run in the home half of the seventh, but Dickerson delivered two strikeouts to thwart the rally.

Laila Armstrong went 3-for-4 to lead the Rangers at the plate, while Harris finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Brower, Polk and Meredith Owen accounted for the remaining hits for Northwest, highlighted by Brower's double and Polk's third-inning homer.


Game 2 - #11 Northwest 10, Meridian 0 

A 14-hit effort for Northwest, coupled by Allen's complete-game shutout, helped the Rangers to seal their second consecutive sweep with a 10-0 triumph against Meridian.

Much like the first game, the Rangers jumped out to another 3-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. Harris' RBI-single to center field got things going for Northwest, while Comer followed with a two-run single to center field.

Northwest tacked on two more in the second inning, thanks to back-to-back doubles from Harris and Polk, extending the lead to 5-0.

Meridian held the Rangers scoreless through the next two innings, but Armstrong's fielder's choice in the fifth helped Northwest get back on the board, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Northwest would put the game away for good in the top half of the seventh, adding four final runs to notch the sweep, while Allen shut the door in the seventh.

Harris finished with three of the Rangers' 14 hits, including a pair of doubles. Brower, Comer, Polk and Owen also accounted for two hits apiece, while Armstrong, Haleigh Buchanan and Randi Johnson each collected a hit.

Allen struck out seven batters in the circle, allowing four walks.  Read Full Article