SUMMIT - Two close games resulted in a split for No. 8 Northwest at Southwest Mississippi on Wednesday afternoon.
In the opener, the Rangers withstood a seven-run storm from the Lady Bears in the fourth inning, as Northwest came back to take a 10-9 victory. However, the nightcap went in favor of Southwest Mississippi by a 5-4 final in eight innings.
There was no shortage of offense for Northwest in either contest, as the Rangers combined for 23 base hits in the twinbill.
Addison Owen finished 3-for-5 at the plate and NWCC came away with 12 hits in the first game, while five different players finished with multiple base hits in the finale.
Morgen Brewton (17-2) started the first game for Northwest and re-entered later in the contest, picking up the win for the Rangers. In the nightcap, it was
Abby Rogers (6-4) taking the loss in 4.1 innings of relief.
With the split, Northwest moved to 31-7 overall and 12-6 in the MACCC. Southwest Mississippi moved to 13-23 on the season and 7-11 in conference play.
Next up for the Rangers is a two-date homestand, beginning with a doubleheader against Mississippi Gulf Coast on Saturday, April 12 at 12/2 P.M. Northwest will then host East Mississippi on Wednesday, April 16 at 2/4 P.M.
Both doubleheaders will be carried on
Ranger TV.Â
Game 1 - #8 Northwest 10, Southwest Mississippi 9
A seven-run fourth inning helped fuel a comeback for Southwest Mississippi, but Northwest responded with eight runs over the final three innings to secure the one-run victory.
A 2-0 lead for the Rangers evaporated in the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Lady Bears stormed back for a 7-2 advantage. Northwest answered back with three runs in the fifth, but Southwest Mississippi added another run in the bottom of the fifth, stretching its lead to 8-5.
With two runs scored in the top of the sixth, the Rangers pulled within 8-7, before taking back a 10-8 lead in the top of the seventh. The Lady Bears scraped a run across in the home half of the seventh, but Brewton slammed the door on the rally, securing the win.
Aside from Owen's team-high three base hits,
Carly Dunigan and
Emma Jennings came away with two each, including a homer from Jennings and a double from Dunigan.
Sommer Tyes also added a home run and
Carleigh Calarco blasted a double for her lone base hit.
Brewton pitched 5.2 innings to earn the win for Northwest, garnering six strikeouts against no walks and four runs allowed. Rogers pitched 1.1 frames of relief, earning a pair of strikeouts against three walks and two earned runs, before Brewton re-entered the game.
Southwest Mississippi finished with 11 base hits, led by two each from Allie Ladnier, Alyssa Leggett and Abbey Pevey. Four of the Lady Bears' hits resulted in doubles.
Corin Talbot (4-9) went the distance in the circle, striking out 10 batters against seven walks and 10 earned runs allowed.
Game 2 - Southwest Mississippi 5, #8 Northwest 4 (8 inn.)
An extra-innings battle went in favor of Southwest Mississippi in the finale, as Northwest lost for just the second time this season against an unranked opponent.
After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Bears got on the board with a run in the bottom of the second and two more in the third, pulling ahead by a 3-0 margin. The Rangers then added two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 4-3 lead.
That lead would hold until the bottom of the seventh, when Southwest Mississippi tied it up on a solo home run to force extra innings. With Northwest unable to do anything in the top of the eighth, the Lady Bears blasted another solo homer with one out on the board, earning the walk-off win.
Both teams finished with 11 base hits apiece, including five Rangers with multiple hits. Calarco homered and Dunigan finished with a pair of doubles, while Tyes also collected a double.
Three Southwest Mississippi players recorded multiple base hits, including a home run from Kate Clements and a double from Erin Acey. Liberty Gillihan also finished with a homer for the Lady Bears.
Rogers was handed the loss for Northwest in the circle, allowing the game's final two runs against three walks and two strikeouts.
Catelyn Brown started the game for the Rangers, striking out four batters against a walk and three earned runs in three complete innings.
Tye Boone (1-1) picked up the win in relief for Southwest Mississippi, tossing 2.2 shutout frames. Skye Sharp went 5.1 innings for the Lady Bears, striking out two batters against no walks and four earned runs.
