SENATOBIA - Last season was one full of ups and downs for coach Chelsea Bramlett and the Northwest softball program.

An 8-2 win against Dyersburg State in the 2024 season opener marked Bramlett's 100th win as head coach of the Rangers, and Northwest opened the year with a 13-2 record. However, a loss to Jefferson College in the non-conference finale changed the trajectory of the season, as NWCC would stumble to a 13-15 finish in conference play and a 27-20 overall mark.

Despite the struggles throughout the year, Northwest still finished with splits against sixth-ranked Jones College and No. 4 Pearl River, ultimately helping the Rangers into the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Now, with an even balance of 10 returners and 10 freshmen, Bramlett and her club are looking to bigger and better things in 2025.

"We definitely revamped some things [from last season]," Bramlett said. "I am really proud of my sophomore class for stepping up and being leaders. They are there for the freshmen and it's not as much of a clash. They're all pulling for each other, enjoying the game and it makes us as coaches enjoy it a lot more. A lot of them are either committed to a four-year program or still trying to get there, so they're working really hard and pushing. They have been great role models for our freshmen, and everyone is playing well together."

Some of the most notable leaders in the Rangers' sophomore class include infielder Ellie Fryar, who stepped up at third base and filled the shoes left behind by former NJCAA All-American McKaylee "K.K." Polk. Fryar also led the team in several batting categories, including batting average (.364), runs scored (34) and doubles (13). 

Also returning are outfielders Carly Dunigan and Abby Rogers, who both played pivotal roles in the Northwest starting lineup last season. Rogers, a native of Brandon, also made 17 appearances in the circle, earning a pair of wins and 37 strikeouts on the season.

Dunigan, Fryar and Rogers are all currently committed or signed to four-year programs, ranging from Delta State to Oklahoma Wesleyan University. 

Meanwhile, Morgen Brewton also returns as a top pitcher for Northwest. The Mobile, Ala. native has already made a name for herself in the Rangers' single-season record categories, finishing tied for sixth with 14 wins, while also earning the sixth-most strikeouts (109) and ninth-most innings pitched (124.0).

Even with the accomplishments of her sophomore class, it's the leadership factor that still excites Bramlett the most heading into the regular season.

"That leadership, their drive and how they have stepped up is what I really like out of them," Bramlett said. "They want to win. It's not always all about that, but it's fun coaching them and seeing them with that drive every day. But it also extends further, with Thenya Kennedy stepping up in the leadoff position and Sommer Tyes blowing Blue Mountain away for two innings [in the circle]. All of our sophomores are going to take a bigger role, but they're excited about it and they want that weight on their shoulders. Some of their roles have changed, but overall they have really bought into this program and what our coaching staff is doing."

As for the newcomers, Northwest welcomes in a freshman class that has already proven themselves in a short amount of time. Vicksburg native Jenn Smith (Warren Central HS) is expected to help fill in the Rangers' outfield that already includes Dunigan and Kennedy. In the circle, Catelyn Brown (Wheeler, Miss./Wheeler HS) and Alyssa Boswood (Southaven, Miss./Lake Cormorant HS) have added to the pitching arsenal.

"There is so much speed out there," Bramlett said, in regards to her outfield. "They're covering ground really well. This is the first year that we are really young in our middle infield. I am used to having a sophomore shortstop, so we're going to be young there and at second base. We have taken some knocks there in the middle infield, but they're listening and improving. Catelyn has been spinning the ball well lately and Alyssa is throwing a lot of innings lately."

"Overall, we have a lot of freshmen stepping up and vying for spots," Bramlett added. "They are pushing hard for playing time and that's making it fun again."

As with every season in the MACCC, the schedule will be tough, and the non-conference slate is no exception. The season kicks off in the Sand Mountain Classic from January 31-February 1, a four-game slate that includes games against nationally-ranked foes in Central Alabama and Marion Military Institute. The JUCO Classic Invitational later in February also includes matchups against Kirkwood, Parkland College and LSU-Eunice, with all three schools featured in the national rankings.

Although Northwest was left out of the NJCAA rankings to open this season, that has done nothing more but fuel further motivation for Bramlett's club.

"We want to beat those ranked teams," Bramlett said. "I have told our team that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. Sometimes, the preseason rankings aren't always the most accurate, but us not being in there and seeing some teams that are in there over us has just added more fuel to our fire. Our schedule is loaded with 50 games and it's going to be hectic, it's going to be hard, but I want us to play the best teams before we get into conference play."

Additionally, Jones College, Pearl River and Copiah-Lincoln are also ranked in the NJCAA polls, with Northwest scheduled to travel to two of those three teams. The Rangers will host Mississippi Delta, Hinds, Northeast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, East Mississippi and East Central as part of the home conference slate, while traveling to Holmes, Southwest Mississippi, Coahoma, Meridian and Itawamba.

"It's always so hard each year to gauge each team, because everyone graduates so much of their roster every year or two," Bramlett said, on the overall scope of the MACCC. "That's why it's so difficult sometimes to do these rankings, because you don't always know who everyone has coming back. Overall, Jones is going to be strong and near the top, but things can change throughout the season and day-to-day as we go."

Even with all the usual challenges that lie ahead, Bramlett's goals haven't wavered since the program's record-shattering 2022 campaign.

"Our goal every year is to win it all, but at the same time, we want to get to that 40-win threshold," Bramlett said. "That's going to be tough to do, because we don't pad our schedule just to get wins. I want us to be challenged and if we lose, we just have to move on and get better from it. Our schedule is going to be hard, but I think it is achievable. Their minds are set on the postseason and getting rings, and it's really good for us as coaches to see how excited they are about everything we have coming up."

Northwest will host Missouri State-West Plains for its 2025 home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 2/4 P.M., with National Park College also visiting the Five Star City on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1/3 P.M. Coverage of all home games can be found on Ranger TV, with sports information director Brian Lentz on the call.