SENATOBIA - Sophomore pitcher
Abby Rogers entered the seventh inning in the opening game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Mississippi Delta looking to make history.
Less than three minutes later, Rogers mowed down the Lady Trojans in order, breaking the Northwest career saves record with her sixth save in a 4-1 win against MDCC. The ninth-ranked Rangers would also go on to win the nightcap by a 7-0 margin.
A native of Brandon, Rogers tallied her fourth save of the season and the sixth of her career, shattering the previous career record of five saves set by Lindsey Shaw (2013-14). Her four saves are also tied for the single-season record with Amber Clay (2007).
However, Rogers wasn't the only pitcher to make a splash in the sweep of Mississippi Delta.
Morgen Brewton struck out seven batters in the opener, tossing six complete frames and improving her season record to 12-1. The Mobile, Ala. native is now 25-7 in the circle over her Northwest career, ranking fifth in career victories.
Freshman
Catelyn Brown gave up a leadoff single in the finale, but pitched a perfect game the rest of the way, allowing no walks, runs or additional hits. The Wheeler native improved to 4-1 in the circle and tallied a season-high seven strikeouts.
Meanwhile, sophomore
Ellie Fryar led the charge for the Rangers at the plate, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
Addison Owen also finished 3-for-4 on the afternoon, and
Lulu Franks went 1-for-3 with a double.
Northwest improved to 23-3 on the season and 4-2 in the MACCC, as the Lady Trojans dropped to 8-20 overall and 0-8 in conference play. The Rangers will now shift gears to a Saturday road trip at No. 7 Copiah-Lincoln, scheduled for 1/3 P.M.
Game 1 - #9 Northwest 4, Mississippi Delta 1
Northwest scored three of its four runs in the bottom of the first inning and the game turned into a pitcher's duel the rest of the way, with Rogers coming on to earn the save in the seventh.
After Brewton retired Mississippi Delta in order in the top of the first, Fryar delivered a one-out single to left field, followed by a stolen base and an advance to third on the error. The sophomore from Dumas then scored off a single from
Carly Dunigan, and
Sommer Tyes made it a 2-0 lead with an RBI-double to left field.
Owen scored Tyes from third on a bunt single in the next at-bat, as Northwest jumped out to the early 3-0 advantage. However, Lady Trojans' starter Callie Henderson quickly settled in after that, picking up the final two outs of the inning and working four straight scoreless frames.
Meanwhile, Brewton kept Mississippi Delta off the board until the top of the fifth, when the Lady Trojans loaded the bases on a single and two hit batters. Avona Gammage spoiled the shutout in the following at-bat, singling up the middle, but MDCC got nothing more in the inning.
Leading 3-1 entering the home half of the sixth, the Rangers used a leadoff single from Owen and an RBI-double from
Emma Jennings to gain an insurance run, effectively sealing the win.
Northwest finished the game with seven base hits, led by two each from Jennings and Owen. Gammage and Ella McCain accounted for both Lady Trojans' hits, while Henderson (3-8) was handed the loss in the circle.
Game 2 - #9 Northwest 7, Mississippi Delta 0
Northwest used a four-run first inning and a shutdown performance in the circle from Brown to secure the sweep of Mississippi Delta.
Takiya Shaw led off the game with what would prove to be the only base hit for the Lady Trojans, as a sacrifice bunt and a pair of strikeouts ended the inning for Mississippi Delta.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Fryar launched her second home run of the season to center field, giving the Rangers their first run of the game. Dunigan followed with a single to second and Tyes drew a walk, setting up Owen's RBI-single. Dunigan scored and Tyes scored with an error on the same play, as Northwest pushed its early lead to 3-0.
Kylie Frost finished off the strong first inning with a grounder to second base, scoring Owen.
Both teams were retired in order in the second inning and Brown shut down the Lady Trojans in the third as well. Fryar led off the bottom of the third inning with a single to the shortstop and Tyes scored her on a double to center. Owen's sac fly helped Tyes score from third, stretching the Rangers' lead to 6-0.
Fryar once again led off with a single in the fifth and an error allowed
Aubrey Massing to reach base, scoring Fryar for the game's final run. Brown polished off her complete game in the top of the seventh throwing just three pitches, forcing Mississippi Delta into three straight groundouts.
Northwest finished with eight hits in the win, led by three apiece from Fryar. Franks, Tyes and
Lindsey Gillis were each credited with a double.
Morgan Woods (0-5) was handed the loss in the circle for the Lady Trojans, allowing five earned runs and a walk in 4.1 frames. Henderson returned to pitch the final 1.2 innings, giving up just one base hit with no runs or walks surrendered.
