GOODMAN - Northwest combined for 22 runs on 23 base hits, as the Rangers earned a solid conference sweep on Wednesday afternoon at Holmes, picking up 11-4 and 11-5 victories.

Several Rangers stepped up at the plate in the sweep, including Jacob Hill and Cade Greer, with both players earning four base hits on the day. Hayes Davis also hit a pair of homers in the nightcap, along with James Smith. Greer also smashed a homer in Game 1.

C.J. Lofton earned the win on the mound in Game 1, tossing five strikeouts across four complete innings. Mason Shropshire was credited with the win in relief of the nightcap, with Brayden Sanders also earning his eighth save of the season.

Northwest improved to 18-12 on the season with the win, jumping its conference record to 6-4. Holmes dropped to 6-22 overall and 2-10 in the MACCC.

Next up for the Rangers is a home doubleheader against Hinds on Saturday, April 1. The Eagles (18-13, 6-4 MACCC) are entering the weekend fresh off a sweep against third-ranked Pearl River.

Saturday also marks the start of a long homestand for Northwest, which will also host Coahoma, Jackson State (Tenn.) and Jones College next week. Both of this weekend's games against Hinds can be seen live on Ranger TV. 


Game 1 - Northwest 11, Holmes 4

Northwest put together a five-run frame in the top of the first inning, setting the stage for a Game 1 blowout win against the Bulldogs.

Holmes cut the deficit down to two runs with a three-run bottom of the fourth, but the Rangers tacked on another run in the top of the fifth and three more in the sixth to pull away for good.

Northwest also plated a run in the top of the eighth and another for good measure in the top of the ninth, while the Bulldogs were limited to a single run in the home half of the ninth.

Northwest finished with an 11-5 margin in base hits, with Greer and Hill combining to go 4-for-10 with two RBIs, including a double from Hill and a homer from Greer. Eli Selby and Matthew Roncalli also went 2-for-4 at the plate, combining for four RBIs, while Hayes Davis also collected a double.

On the basepaths, the Rangers notched six stolen bases, including four from Smith. Catcher Matthew Roncalli also threw out John Nolan Pajak on the Bulldogs' lone stolen base attempt.

Lofton improved to 5-1 with the victory, tossing five strikeouts against one walk. The sophomore arm also allowed three runs, but only two were earned. Blake Loper, Connor McCaslin and Rudy Baldwyn also pitched in relief, combining for five strikeouts and one earned run allowed.

Matthew Reed led the Bulldogs' efforts at the plate, finishing 2-for-4. Cole Moudy was handed the loss on the mound after surrendering nine runs in 5.2 innings.


Game 2 - Northwest 11, Holmes 5

Although Holmes managed to scatter a run in five straight innings, Northwest plated two in the third, fifth and seventh innings, while also scoring three in the sixth during the Rangers' 11-5 victory.

Scoreless after the first inning, the Rangers and Bulldogs tacked on one run apiece in the second, before the Rangers broke the tie with a two-run frame in the top of the third. Leading 3-1, Northwest surrendered a run to Holmes in the home half of the third, before adding another in the top of the fourth.

Leading 4-3 entering the fifth inning, Northwest began to gain some separation with a two-run frame in the top of the fifth. The Bulldogs remained within striking distance, adding runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, only for the Rangers to tack on two more in the top of the seventh to put the game away for good.

Northwest blasted 12 hits in the win, highlighted by two homers from Davis and a home run from Smith. Cy Craig also notched a triple, while Selby and Cade Leatherwood each added a double. Craig, Davis, Greer, Hill and Smith each finished with two base hits apiece. while Leatherwood and Smith accounted for three RBIs each.

Judah Buckner earned the start on the mound for the Rangers, battling against his younger brother, John Paul Buckner for Holmes. Buckner lasted three full innings, earning four strikeouts, while the younger Buckner went five full frames for the Bulldogs, earning two strikeouts.

Shropshire was credited with the victory in relief, running his season record to 1-1. The freshman tossed a full inning with a strikeout, while Zach Beasley threw 1.1 innings. Sanders closed out the final 1.2 innings, delivering three strikeouts and shutting down a 9-5 rally from the Bulldogs in the sixth.

Hayden Beall and Ethan Wood combined to lead the Bulldog bats, finishing with two base hits and a combined three RBIs. Read Full Article