SENATOBIA - Adding a last-minute doubleheader did little to negatively affect newly-ranked Northwest on Thursday, as the seventh-ranked Rangers earned a sweep against No. 11 Des Moines Area, 3-0 and 11-1.
In Game 1,
Neely Cooper had a career-defining outing in the circle, delivering 11 strikeouts with no walks or runs surrendered.
Morgen Brewton got the victory in the nightcap, issuing two strikeouts in four innings of work.
At the plate, the Rangers were paced by
Kaylee Owens, who went 4-for-5 on the afternoon with a double and an RBI. Freshman
Abby Rogers also finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while
Kara Johnson homered in Game 2.
With the sweep, Northwest improved to 12-2 on the season, while Des Moines Area dropped to 4-2 overall. The Rangers will take part in the Carnell Challenge this weekend in Booneville, facing off once again against DMACC at 12 P.M. and Jefferson College at 5 P.M.
Game 1 - #7 Northwest 3, #11 Des Moines Area 0
Cooper's stellar performance in the circle was complimented by an RBI-double at the plate and a strong batting effort from Owens, as Northwest took the first of two games from Des Moines Area.
Northwest scored two of its three runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to
Ellie Fryar's bunt single and a sacrifice fly from Owens. Cooper then tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, doubling to left field to score Fryar.
Both teams finished with four hits apiece in what was a pitchers' duel for both teams. Courtney Donahue was handed the loss for the Lady Bears, despite issuing eight strikeouts against a walk and two earned runs.
At the plate,
Ellie Fryar accounted for two of the Rangers' four base hits, while Hilary Wilson led Des Moines Area with a 2-for-3 effort.
Game 2 - #7 Northwest 11, #11 Des Moines Area 1 (5 inn.)
Northwest blasted out 10 hits and took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as the Rangers defeated Des Moines Area in run-rule fashion.
Fryar was walked to lead off the big inning for Northwest, and Owens followed with a single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, just in time for Johnson's three-run home run to center field. With two outs,
Madelyn Wadkins delivered an RBI-single to score Rogers, giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead.
Though DMACC threatened to respond in the top of the second, Brewton got the Rangers out of the jam by issuing a strikeout and a groundout, leaving both Lady Bears stranded.
Des Moines Area got two quick outs in the bottom of the second, but Northwest would still tack on six runs anyway. Owens led off the inning with a single, and Cooper followed with a home run to left center, stretching the Rangers' lead to 6-0. Rogers followed with an RBI-single through the left side and
Madeline Houk cleared the bases with a three-run double to left center, pushing Northwest to a 10-0 lead.
With Des Moines Area unable to get anything going in the top half of the third, the Rangers responded with one more run, thanks to a sacrifice fly from
Marleigh Mancini. The Lady Bears did finally score in the top of the fourth, but the Northwest pitching staff kept DMACC off the scoreboard the rest of the way, sealing the shortened win for the Rangers.
Owens went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Northwest, while Rogers also finished 2-for-2 with an RBI. The duo accounted for half of the Rangers' 10 base hits.
Brewton improved to 7-0 in the circle, issuing two strikeouts against a pair of walks and a single earned run.
Addison Owen also pitched the last inning in relief, allowing just one base hit.
Kyleia Salyars led Des Moines Area with two of the Lady Bears' five base hits, including a double. Hannah Ironside was credited with the lone RBI for DMACC.
In the circle, Kinsley Robertson was handed the loss for Des Moines Area, issuing three strikeouts against three walks and eight earned runs. The Lady Bears used three other pitchers in relief, including Ellie Flanagan, who delivered one strikeout and no hits, runs or walks in her one inning of action.
