Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MERIDIAN - A controversial call in the eighth inning marred the outcome of Game 1, but it was all Meridian late in the nightcap, as Northwest dropped both games to the Eagles on the road Friday.

Meridian rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the opener, taking a 6-4 lead on a call that was reversed twice, ultimately going in favor of the home team. The Rangers then surrendered several runs late in Game 2, falling 12-2.

With the losses, the Rangers' losing skid continued to seven games, dropping the team's record to 22-19 overall and 10-10 in the MACCC. Meanwhile, the fifth-ranked Eagles moved to 29-9 and 15-5 in the conference.

Northwest will aim to snap the skid on Tuesday, April 18 at East Mississippi. The Lions (19-21, 7-13 MACCC) are coming off a sweep at the hands of Itawamba earlier last week.


Game 1 - #5 Meridian 6, Northwest 4

Although Northwest held the lead for the majority of Friday's opener, the Eagles were gifted four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the 6-4 win in Game 1.

Meridian led 1-0 after scoring in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly, but the Rangers responded with two more runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead. Matthew Roncalli scored off a wild pitch, while Cade Greer provided the go-ahead run on an RBI-single to center.

Northwest extended its lead in the top of the fifth inning, as Greer sent an RBI-double to right field, pushing the lead to 3-1. Meanwhile, Brooks Rice kept the Eagles in check with three scoreless innings.

A sacrifice fly to right allowed Meridian to inch closer in the bottom of the sixth, but Rice and the Rangers left one Eagle runner stranded to keep the lead in tact.

Northwest struck one last time in the top of the eighth, as Meridian issued a leadoff walk to Eli Selby, which was promptly followed by a triple from Peyton Martin.

Despite getting two quick outs in the bottom of the eighth, things began to get dicey for the Rangers. After turning to Brayden Sanders to help close things out, Northwest gave up a walk and a hit-by-pitch to load up the bases, then fell victim to a two-run error at second base that allowed the Eagles to tie the game at 4-4.

It was the next at-bat that delivered some controversy. After Dalton McIntyre's two-out single to second drew in the leading run, the Rangers tagged out Jacob Scott several steps ahead of the plate, a call initially ruled safe. After an appeal from Northwest, the call was discussed and changed to an out, only for Meridian to protest the call. With more discussion, the umpires then reversed the call once more to favor the Eagles, providing Meridian with the two-run lead.

From there, the Eagles were able to keep Northwest off the board in the top of the ninth, holding on to the 6-4 victory.

Northwest outhit Meridian 12-8 in the contest, with Martin leading the way on a 3-for-4 effort. Greer, Roncalli and Jacob Hill also finished with two base hits each.

For the first time this season, Sanders was handed a loss on the mound after allowing three unearned runs. Rice, the starter, lasted six full innings and tossed four strikeouts against four walks.

McIntyre picked up the win in relief for Meridian, allowing one earned run and issuing three strikeouts over the final two innings. Blaise Priester accounted for three of the Eagles' eight base hits, including a double.


Game 2 - #5 Meridian 12, Northwest 2

Northwest kept things relatively close for most of the way in the nightcap, but a seven-run bottom of the sixth inning for Meridian proved to be the dagger.

Meridian took a 4-0 lead after three innings, with three of those coming in the top of the third. The third inning was highlighted by a two-run homer from Brennan Study.

Northwest got a run back in the top of the fourth, thanks to a passed ball, but the Eagles added another run in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 5-1 score. 

Selby's RBI-grounder in the top of the sixth helped send another Ranger run across the plate, cutting the lead down to 5-2. However, the Eagles' seven-run frame helped break the game open for Meridian, with a grand slam highlighting the inning. 

Meridian outhit the Rangers by a 13-3 margin, with Greer, Leatherwood and Selby accounting for all three Northwest base hits. Logan Eldridge was issued the loss on the mound, allowing five runs and five walks on six base hits.

Cole Boswell went the distance for Meridian and picked up the win, delivering 10 strikeouts against three walks.