WESSON - A four-run first inning helped give Northwest a sizable lead, which would help the Rangers withstand a late push from Northeast in Thursday's 9-5 victory against the Tigers in a winner's bracket matchup.
Northwest picked up five base hits in the top of the first and led 7-0 after two complete, only for the Tigers to fight back and put the tying run in the on-deck circle in the seventh inning. However, a swinging strikeout with two runners on base shut down the Northeast rally.
With the win, the Rangers bolstered their record to 33-13, tying the second-most victories recorded in a single season (33-7; 2005). Northeast fell to 32-21 on the season and 1-3 against Northwest in 2022.
Laila Armstrong delivered a lead-off double to center field to get the bats hot for Northwest. After a single from
McKaylee Polk,
Saige Koczka delivered the game's first run on an RBI-single down the right field line, followed by a single from
Molly Harris that made it a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Northeast would finally work its way out of the top of the first, but not before the Rangers put two more runs across the plate on a throwing error from the Tigers' catcher and an RBI-single from
Caylee Comer.
Northwest pitcher
Gabby Dickerson struggled early in the contest, starting her appearance with two walks and a hit-by-pitch that loaded the bases for Northeast in the home half of the first. However, the freshman sensation rebounded, delivering three straight strikeouts to leave the Tigers stranded and scoreless.
With two outs in the top of the second, a walk to Polk and a double from Koczka came back to haunt the Tigers, as Harris smacked a three-run homer to push the Rangers' lead to 7-0.
Dickerson held Northeast scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when Charly Clanton's solo home run led off the inning with the Tigers' first run and base hit of the game. Comer responded in the top half of the fifth, smashing a solo shot over the wall in center field, stretching the Rangers' lead to 8-1.
Northeast carved the deficit in half during the bottom of the fifth, when a lead-off walk and two singles helped the Tigers to load the bases. Alexie Griffin's sacrifice fly allowed one run to score, before a two-run double from Clanton brought Northeast back within 8-4.
Once again, the Rangers had a response in the top of the sixth. Armstrong's lead-off double set up an RBI-single from Polk, giving Northwest an insurance run and a 9-4 advantage. Briley Pitt's RBI-double helped Northeast strike back one more time in the bottom of the sixth, but a strikeout of Cassidy Duskin and a liner into the glove of Bednarek in left field ended the threat.
Northwest went down scoreless in the top of the seventh and the Tigers got some life with a two-out walk and a single in the bottom frame. However, Dickerson got Emme Muizers swinging for the final strikeout, keeping the Rangers in the winner's bracket.
Dickerson (22-7) went the distance for the 13th time this season, striking out nine batters against four walks and five earned runs allowed. Northeast starter Emma Dempsey fell to 8-6 in the circle after delivering two strikeouts and three walks.
Armstrong and Koczka finished 3-for-4 apiece to lead the Rangers at the plate, including two doubles from Armstrong. Comer, Harris and Polk also collected two hits apiece.
Northeast scattered eight hits across four players in its lineup - Clanton, Duskin, Pitt and Taylor King.Â
With the win, Northwest improved to 2-0 in the winner's bracket. The Rangers will play at 5 P.M. on Friday against the winner of Northeast and Copiah-Lincoln.
