SENATOBIA - A close 4-3 loss in Saturday afternoon's battle with Lake Land College was overshadowed by a five-run comeback in the seventh inning of the evening game, as Northwest avoided the four-game sweep to the Lakers.

Freshman Mason Gillentine hammered out a pair of homers for the Rangers in the loss, only to earn the walk-off single in the nightcap. On the mound, Will Howell was handed the loss in the opener, while Brady Stinnett got the win in relief in the nightcap.

Northwest fell to 4-3 following the weekend series, while Lake Land College left with a 3-1 start to its season. The Rangers are scheduled to be back in action Valentine's Day weekend in the Perfect Game Invitational, hosted at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn. The bracket-style format will begin with NWCC facing Olney Central College on Friday at 3:30 P.M.


Game 1 - Lake Land College 4, Northwest 3

Lake Land College broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run frame in the top of the fifth inning, as the Lakers took the third game of the weekend series from Northwest.

Luca Mendez opened things up for Lake Land College with an RBI-double to left center in the top of the second, and a bases loaded walk followed to put the Rangers in an early 2-0 deficit.

In the bottom of the third, Gillentine tied the game on a two-run homer to right field, scoring Austin Batts. The two teams remained tied until the fifth inning, when Brandon Johnson's RBI base hit gave the Lakers the go-ahead run. A sacrifice fly from Mendez added another run for Lake Land College, pushing the score to 4-2.

Gillentine brought Northwest slightly closer in the bottom of the sixth, hammering a solo home run to left field. However, the Rangers would leave a runner stranded in the same inning and were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Northwest finished with a 6-5 edge in base hits, led by Gillentine's 2-for-3 performance. The Rangers were also helped by a double from Jackson Jenkins.

Lake Land College scattered five hits throughout its lineup, highlighted by a triple from Kaiden Maurer and a double from Mendez. Eddie Scaccia (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Lakers, striking out four batters against three walks and two earned runs in four complete innings, while Griffin Hallahan picked up the save in three full innings of relief.

Howell (1-1) was the recipient of the loss for Northwest, issuing two earned runs and a pair of walks in two full innings. Connor McCaslin collected three strikeouts against two walks and an earned run in four complete innings of work, while Thomas Mitchell tossed the final inning in relief.


Game 2 - Northwest 5, Lake Land College 4

Northwest was held scoreless over six innings, but tacked on a five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh, earning the win in the weekend finale against the Lakers.

Sharif Colon's RBI-double to right field got Lake Land College on the board in the top of the second, and the Lakers followed with three more runs in the third inning. A single from Drew DuPont, a sacrifice fly from Logan Winkleman and an RBI-single from Bryce Beyers made it a 4-0 lead for Lake Land College.

While the Rangers' pitching staff held the Lakers in check the rest of the way, Northwest was still unable to find an answer at the plate. Then came the bottom of the seventh inning, when a leadoff walk to Tyler Sullivan changed everything.

After Sullivan's walk, Mason McMillin also drew a walk and a walk to Rob Hayes loaded the bases with one out. That's when freshman Hallas Lawson smacked a three-run triple to the right field corner, bringing the Rangers within a run.

Northwest wasn't done though. After a wild pitch allowed Lawson to score for the tying run, Tatum Turner drew a walk with two outs and John Whit Snopek did the same. After Turner moved up an extra base on a wild pitch, Gillentine singled to left center field, where a diving catch by the Lakers' outfielder came up just short, allowing Turner to score the winning run.

Lake Land College finished with eight hits, compared to seven from the Rangers. Beyers went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Lakers, while Nate Caraballo and Colon came away with a double each.

Northwest scattered all seven of its hits throughout the lineup, highlighted by Lawson's triple and another triple from Meyer Maddox. Jackson Jenkins also accounted for a double.

Stinnett (1-0) picked up the victory for the Rangers, tossing a pair of strikeouts over the top of the seventh inning. Eli Deberry also had a strong relief outing for Northwest, issuing six strikeouts against no walks, runs and just one base hit in 2.1 frames.

Starter Brennan Jones went 3.2 innings, allowing four runs and three walks.

For the Lakers, Teague Hallahan was handed the loss, surrendering the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Jacob McPherson started the game for Lake Land College, firing off five strikeouts in five scoreless frames. Read Full Article