JACKSON - Northwest outfielder Peeko Townsend has joined a long list of his teammates moving on to the four-year level, as the sophomore inked with Jackson State University on Tuesday.

A native of Pontotoc, Townsend played 12 games as a freshman before working his way into the starting lineup for the 2022 season. He batted .293 on the season and crushed nine doubles, a triple, 11 home runs and 22 runs batted in, including a season-best 3-for-3 effort in an early-season victory against Glen Oaks. Four of his 11 homers also came during the Rangers' postseason run.

Used primarily in left field, Townsend fielded .918 and committed only one error in 23 conference games. He anchored a strong outfield that included UT Martin signee and fellow high school teammate Caleb Hobson and right fielder Landon Rogers.

Townsend is the seventh member of the Rangers' 2022 squad to sign or commit to the four-year level and is the sixth to earn a spot on a Division I roster, joining Hobson (UT Martin), pitchers John Luke Marlin (UAB), Connor Spencer (Southeastern Louisiana), Zach Willingham (South Alabama) and catcher Ryan Lee (Little Rock).

A member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Jackson State finished 29-27 last season and 16-14 against conference competition. The Tigers are coached by Omar Johnson, who enters his 17th season at the helm of the Tigers' program.