GADSDEN, Ala. - Behind a combined 33 base hits, including 22 in the nightcap, 10th-ranked Northwest improved to 15-1 with a pair of 7-2 and 17-2 wins at Gadsden State on Monday afternoon.

Monday's second game marked just the second 20-hit game of coach Chelsea Bramlett's six-year tenure and the most hit by the Rangers in a single game since at least 2010. Sophomore Thenya Kennedy led Northwest with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, including a triple and two RBIs. Nine of the team's 22 base hits were for extra bases, highlighted by home runs from freshman Kylie Frost and sophomore Sommer Tyes.

In the first game, the Rangers collected seven runs on 11 base hits to go with Morgen Brewton's nine-strikeout effort in the circle. The Mobile, Ala. native improved to 8-0 on the season, while Abby Rogers ran her record to 5-0 with an abbreviated three-inning start in the finale.

Next up for Northwest is a road trip to Jackson State (Tenn.) on Saturday, March 8 at 1/3 P.M.


Game 1 - #10 Northwest 7, Gadsden State 2

Gadsden State spoiled the shutout with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Brewton returned to the game in relief, shutting the door on the Lady Cardinals' rally hopes.

Despite not scoring in the first inning, Northwest set the tone early with Carly Dunigan's triple and a quick 1-2-3 inning from Brewton. The Rangers led off the top of the second with three straight base hits, and a sacrifice fly from Marleigh Mancini made it a 1-0 lead for NWCC. Kennedy then grounded out to first base, but scored Lulu Franks from third, pushing the score to 2-0.

Gadsden State responded with a leadoff single in the home half of the second inning, but Brewton denied anything else from the Lady Cardinals. In turn, the Rangers extended the lead to 3-0, thanks to a sac fly from Addison Owen in the top of the third.

Northwest was denied additional runs in the top of the fourth, but the Rangers scattered two runs apiece over the fifth and sixth innings. A two-run homer to center field off the bat of Sommer Tyes made it a 5-0 advantage in the fifth, and Ellie Fryar's double in the sixth was followed by Dunigan's groundout, widening the gap to 7-0.

Though Gadsden State got to relief pitcher Catelyn Brown in the bottom of the seventh, Brewton re-entered the circle to solidify the win for Northwest.

Owen finished 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead the Rangers at the plate. Dunigan also went 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI, further aiding the 11-hit effort for Northwest.

In the circle, Brewton issued nine strikeouts against a single walk and an unearned run. 

Gadsden State collected seven base hits, but also finished with three errors in the loss. Kennadi Johnson finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Lady Cardinals. Aubrey Kerst was handed the loss, after tossing two strikeouts with no walks against five earned runs in five complete frames.

Karli Crocker pitched the final two frames for Gadsden State, striking out three batters with two earned runs allowed.


Game 2 - #10 Northwest 17, Gadsden State 2 (5 inn.)

It didn't take long for Northwest to put the second game of the doubleheader away, as the Rangers exploded for seven runs in the first inning and four more in the second, setting the tone for a run-rule victory against Gadsden State.

Kennedy led off the explosive first inning with a bunt single, scoring on the next at-bat, thanks to Fryar's double to left field. Dunigan followed with an RBI-double of her own and Owen did the same, stretching the lead to 3-0 with one out.

Emma Jennings followed with a single to score Owen and Mancini's sac fly to right field added yet another run. The Rangers batted around, as Kennedy hit into a fielder's choice and Fryar delivered an RBI-single, pushing the score to 7-0.

Gadsden State got a one-out base hit in the bottom of the first, but nothing more. Northwest answered with four more runs in the top of the second, as Owen's triple paved the way for an RBI-single from Jennings and an RBI-double to left field from Rogers. Mancini added another run on a sac fly, before Frost closed out the frame with a solo homer to center.

After the Lady Cardinals were held once again to only a single in the bottom of the second, the Rangers continued to add to their lead. After Kaylee Reed led off the third with a single, Tyes' two-run homer to center made it a 13-0 advantage for Northwest. 

Though Gadsden State again spoiled the shutout with a two-run, two-out double in the bottom of the third, the Rangers once again put another run back on the board, as Tyes scored Kennedy on an RBI-single. In the top of the fifth, Kennedy drew a bases loaded walk and Northwest made it a 17-2 lead with back-to-back RBI-singles from Reed and Madison Weeks.

After Tyes pitched a scoreless inning in the fourth, freshman Alyssa Boswood held the Lady Cardinals without a run in the fifth, clinching the run-rule victory for the Rangers.

Northwest smashed a whopping 22 base hits, compared to just five from Gadsden State. Kennedy went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, while seven other Rangers earned two base hits apiece.

Rogers picked up the victory after pitching three complete frames, with two earned runs and a walk surrendered. Tyes and Boswood combined for the final two innings, with Tyes issuing three strikeouts.

Gadsden State scattered all five of its hits throughout the lineup, and Kirby Wisner was issued the loss, after surrendering five earned runs with no walks or strikeouts. Wisner lasted just a third of an inning, with Crocker and Marlee Mosley combining for three strikeouts against three walks and 12 earned runs in 4.2 frames. Read Full Article