SENATOBIA - With the start of a grueling conference schedule looming, Northwest softball has added one more non-conference test to the schedule for next week.

Northwest, ranked No. 9 in the latest NJCAA polls, will play host to fourth-ranked Kirkwood (Ill.) on Thursday, March 10 at 1/3 P.M. The Lady Eagles are currently 5-1 on the season and finished with a record of 54-12 last year, before being eliminated by Mississippi Gulf Coast in the NJCAA Division II World Series.

Northwest (9-1) is currently 1-1 against nationally-ranked opponents this season, after splitting with then-No. 11 Three Rivers (Mo.) in last month's Northeast TigerFest in Booneville.

Both games against Kirkwood, as well as Saturday's home conference-opener against 13th-ranked Pearl River will be carried on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) and Facebook Live.