BOONEVILLE - After embarking on a six-game winning streak that involved sweeps of Holmes, Hinds and Coahoma, the Northwest baseball team hit its longest losing skid of the season with a pair of 14-4 and 15-2 losses at Northeast on Wednesday afternoon.

Northwest picked up 14 base hits in the losses, with 10 of those coming in the Game 1 loss. The Rangers have now lost five straight, dropping to 22-17 overall and 10-8 in the MACCC, while Northeast improved to 23-15 on the season and 10-6 in conference play.

Next up for the Rangers is a tough road test at fifth-ranked Meridian on Saturday, April 15. The Eagles (27-9, 13-5 MACCC) are coming off a split against Copiah-Lincoln, taking Game 2 by a 3-2 final after dropping a 9-4 decision to the Wolves in the opener. Prior to that, MCC was in the midst of an eight-game winning streak.

Game times for Saturday's doubleheader are set for 2/5 P.M. from Scaggs Field. Fans unable to attend can watch both contests on mcceagles.live.


Game 1 - Northeast 14, Northwest 4 (7 inn.)

An early 3-0 Northwest lead was squashed with an eight-run frame from the Tigers in the third inning, as Northeast added three more in the fifth and the bottom of the seventh to run-rule the Rangers.

Cade Leatherwood provided the Rangers' first run on an RBI-single to right, scoring Jacob Hill, while a throwing error from right field on the same play helped Cade Greer to score as well. Cy Craig then provided an RBI-double to left, scoring Peyton Martin and giving Northwest the early advantage.

C.J. Lofton successfully kept the Tigers off the board in the first two frames, retiring five batters. However, Northeast pitcher Matthew Bullard also kept the Rangers off the board over the next two innings, keeping the Tigers in striking distance.

After Northwest left two runners stranded in the top of the third, the Tigers pounced in the home half of the inning, beginning with a leadoff single from Harris McReynolds and back-to-back singles from Peyton Peoples and Khi Holiday. A sac fly put another run on the board for Northeast and a walk and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out.

That's when Northeast blew the doors open, thanks to a two-run single from Kelly Crumpton and a bases-clearing triple from Jackson McCoy. After Connor McCaslin entered in relief of Lofton, the Tigers got one more across with a groundout to third from McReynolds, bringing the lead to 8-3.

Northwest was retired in order in the top of the fourth, but the Rangers responded in the top of the fifth with James Smith's solo homer. Northeast countered with a three-run frame in the bottom of the fifth, as a walk and two hit batters loaded the bases for the Tigers. With two outs, the Tigers scored on another hit-by-pitch and a two-run double from Kristian Sprawling, extended the Rangers' deficit to 11-4.

Northeast sealed the deal in the bottom of the seventh, as a wild pitch and back-to-back bases-loaded walks gave the Tigers the run-rule win.

Lofton (4-2) was handed the loss on the mound, as he surrendered all eight runs in the third inning. McCaslin lasted 3.2 innings of relief, issuing five strikeouts.

Bullard improved to 6-0 on the mound for Northeast, tossing all seven innings and allowing 10 base hits, four runs and a strikeout.

Greer, Hill and Smith came away with two base hits apiece, while Craig, Leatherwood, Martin and Hayes Davis accounted for the remaining Northwest hits. Northeast was led by Crumpton and McReynolds at the plate, with both players combining for four of the Tigers' nine base hits.


Game 2 - Northeast 15, Northwest 2

Though Northwest took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Rangers surrendered 10 runs over the next two frames and four more in the bottom of the fourth, as Northeast earned the nightcap victory.

A bases-loaded walk allowed Smith to score in the second, but the lead didn't last long, as the Tigers plated three in the bottom of the second. A fielder's choice tied the game, while Holiday brought in a run on a double to left and Sprawling singled to right field.

Northwest got a run back in the top of the third, as the Tigers' catcher botched an attempt to catch Cy Craig stealing second. The failed throw allowed Martin to score from third on the error, bringing the deficit to 3-2.

Northeast led off a devastating bottom of the third inning with back-to-back singles, and Kyle Church brought two Tigers across the plate with a two-run single. Holiday delivered an RBI-single to make it 6-2 and Jackson Owen's grand slam widened the gap to 10-2.

Northwest was retired in order over the final four innings, all while the Tigers continued to build their lead. A two-run triple to center field allowed Northeast to stretch the lead to 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth and two wild pitches made it a 14-2 advantage.

Northeast would get one final run in the bottom of the sixth, as a Dylan Bowers' RBI-single brought the score to its final conclusion.

Judah Buckner (2-2) started the first 2.1 innings, striking out two batters but allowing six earned runs. Blake Loper also pitched in relief, giving up the next eight runs over a full inning of work, while Cooper Mitze and Scott Sharp combined for the final 2.2 innings pitched.

Aidan Foeller recorded his first decision on the mound for the Tigers, striking out seven Rangers over five full innings. 

Northeast outmatched the Rangers 13-4 in total hits, with Holiday going 3-for-4 to lead the Tigers at the plate. Church also finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Read Full Article