Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Sophomore pitcher
Scott Sharp was at his best in Friday's matchup against top-ranked Heartland.
Although Northwest fell 8-6 to Kansas City (Kan.) in the early game at USA Stadium, the Rangers scored a 3-0 victory against the No. 1-ranked Hawks, thanks in large part to Sharp's complete game shutout that included seven strikeouts.
Northwest moved to 12-4 following the split. The Rangers will visit Copiah-Lincoln on Wednesday afternoon, facing the Wolves at 5 P.M. and Mississippi Gulf Coast at 2 P.M.
Game 1 - Kansas City (Kan.) 8, Northwest 6
Trailing 4-0 heading to the top of the sixth, Northwest got six runs back, only for Kansas City (Kan.) to regain the lead with a four-run frame in the bottom of the sixth.
Both teams were scoreless through the first three and a half innings, until the Blue Devils put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kansas City added two more in the bottom of the fifth, before giving up the big inning to the Rangers.
After the Blue Devils regained the 8-6 lead, Northwest went down scoreless in the top of the seventh, as the Rangers' five-game winning streak came to an end.
Both teams combined for 19 hits, with nine of those coming from the Rangers.
Cade Greer,
Jacob Hill and
Cade Leatherwood led Northwest with two hits apiece, and
Peyton Martin hit a double in his only base hit.
Three players accounted for two base hits for the Blue Devils. Kansas City also used five pitchers in the game, with Dalton Smith recording the win in relief. Caleb Reed was credited with the save for the Blue Devils, and starter Aaron Lewis pitched the first four innings, striking out four batters.
Brennan Jones tossed five full frames for Northwest, striking out two batters against three walks and four earned runs.
James Smith (2-2) was handed the loss after surrendering the final two runs.
Game 2 - Northwest 3, #1 Heartland 0
Northwest plated two runs in the bottom of the first and recorded six hits, helping Sharp to the complete game shutout of top-ranked Heartland.
Sharp improved to 3-1 on the mound, after issuing seven strikeouts against a single walk. Northwest was also aided by another run in the bottom of the third inning, as freshman
Levi Lang accounted for two of the Rangers' six base hits.
Heartland got five base hits in the loss, led by a 2-for-3 effort from T.J. Williams. Patrick Gardner was handed the loss for the Hawks, despite his four-strikeout effort through four complete innings. Nick Rainey tossed the final two innings in relief, allowing no hits with one strikeout and a walk.
