SENATOBIA - Despite outnumbering Jackson State in total hits, Northwest surrendered two runs in the top of the first and six more in the third, as the visiting GreenJays took an 11-5 win on Monday afternoon.
Northwest finished with 10 base hits in the contest, but committed three errors as well, dropping to 22-15 on the season. Jackson State improved to 6-27 with the win.
Though the Rangers led off the first with a leadoff strikeout of Garret Byrd, Nomar Prieto-Rodriguez reached on an error at third base, before stealing second. The error set up the first GreenJays' run, as Michael Bell scored Prieto-Rodriguez on a triple to center, followed by an RBI-groundout to second base that allowed Bell to score from third.
Trailing 2-0, Northwest got a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the first, but the Rangers were unable to match the score. However,
Brandon Bruckman got Northwest on the board in the bottom of the second, thanks to an RBI-double that scored
John Blockmon.
Jackson State broke the game open for good in the top of the third, as the GreenJays scored six runs on three hits and a pair of errors. A leadoff walk to Prieto-Rodriguez was followed by a Bell single and an RBI-single to center from Godwin, pushing the deficit to 3-1.
An error on a bunt attempt from the GreenJays resulted in two more runs scored, before a Connell Hardin single made it a 6-1 lead for Jackson State. Another error allowed the opponents to add two more runs, bringing the score to 8-1 entering the bottom of the third.
Though Northwest was held scoreless in the bottom of the third, Bruckman was able to get another run on the board in the bottom of the fourth, scoring
Thomas Cheatham on an RBI-single through the left side. The score remained at 8-2 until the top of the sixth, when a solo homer from Godwin was followed by a fielder's choice and an RBI-double from Byrd, pushing the GreenJays' lead to 11-2.
Northwest chipped away with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two of those on a two-run single from Blockmon, but the deficit proved to be too much to stage a full rally.
Blockmon, Bruckman and
Jacob Hill finished with two hits apiece, combining for six of the Rangers' 10 base hits.
Hayes Davis and
Tyler Pearson were also walked twice, as the GreenJays issued eight free passes.
Northwest used five pitchers in the loss, with
Owen Bruce dropping to 0-1 after throwing one strikeout against three walks and three earned runs in the first two frames.
Cade Greer and
Cy Craig also combined for 4.2 innings of relief, issuing five strikeouts together.
Cory Francis (1-6) picked up the win on the mound for the GreenJays, going four complete innings with four strikeouts and one walk. At the plate, Jackson State was led by two hits apiece from Bell and Godwin.
Northwest will aim to regroup on Wednesday, April 12 at Northeast, kicking off a stretch of four straight road doubleheaders. Game times in Booneville are scheduled for 3/6 P.M. on
nemcctv.com.
