SENATOBIA - Behind wins on the mound from Connor McCaslin and McClain Ray, Northwest picked up a much-needed sweep against Itawamba on Thursday.

With the two 6-2 and 5-2 wins, the Rangers improved to 30-17 overall and 13-13 in the MACCC, earning the program's 10th 30-win season since Mark Carson took over the head coaching reins in 2006.

McCaslin went 5.2 innings on the mound in the opener, striking out a pair of batters against two walks and two earned runs. Jace Robinson followed and polished off the final 3.1 frames, recording his second collegiate save.

In the finale, Ray (4-0) issued three strikeouts against six walks and two earned runs in 4.1 total frames. Brady Stinnett earned his third career save, striking out four batters against two walks in 2.2 innings.

Northwest finished with nine base hits at the plate, led by a 3-for-3 effort from Levi Lang, including a double and three RBIs. Mason Gillentine also went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.

Meyer Maddox and Walker Maranto each finished with two base hits in the nightcap, accounting for four of the Rangers' seven base hits. Mason McMillin also hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season.

Northwest will close out the regular season on Saturday, April 26 at sixth-ranked East Central. The Warriors (36-10, 18-6 MACCC) are coming off a recent split with Mississippi Gulf Coast.



Game 1 - Northwest 6, Itawamba 2

A three-run second inning made the biggest difference for Northwest in the Game 1 victory against Itawamba.

Both teams left multiple runners stranded in the first inning, including a bases loaded scenario for the Rangers. After Itawamba was retired in order in the top of the second, the Rangers responded with an RBI-double off the bat of Gillentine, giving Northwest the quick 1-0 lead.

With one out on the board, Lang sent a two-run single to right-center field, scoring Gillentine and Hallas Lawson. The Rangers still had two on base with one out, but a double play ended the scoring threat.

Northwest added another run in the bottom of the fourth off Lang's double down the left field line, stretching the Rangers' lead to 4-0. ICC answered back with two runs in the top of the sixth, including a solo homer from Madden Butler, but Maranto's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning proved to be the final dagger.

In addition to McCaslin's starting performance, Robinson pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, recording a strikeout and a walk. Gavin McCoy also made a brief relief outing in the sixth inning.

Seven of the Rangers' nine base hits came from Gillentine, Lang or Lawson, while Maranto and Tyler Sullivan accounted for one apiece. 

Jud Files (8-2) was handed the loss for Itawamba, despite a nine-strikeout effort in 6.2 starting frames. He issued six earned runs and six walks, but kept the Indians within striking distance throughout his appearance. Tyler Yearwood added 1.1 scoreless frames of relief.

Nathan Ferris and Houston Green led the charge at the plate for ICC, earning two base hits apiece, including one double for each player. 


Game 2 - Northwest 5, Itawamba 2

An early three-run output in the first inning helped propel Northwest to a 5-2 win in the nightcap.

After Gillentine reached first and took second base on a leadoff error, Maddox used a double to center field to drive in the game's first run. Another error on a failed pickoff attempt allowed Maddox to score, stretching the Rangers' lead to 2-0.

Maranto followed with a groundout to the shortstop, but it was enough to allow McMillin to score from third, pushing the Northwest lead to 3-0.

Itawamba answered with a sacrifice fly from Stone Collier in the top of the third, and Jude Treadaway's RBI-double in the fourth inning closed the gap to 3-2. However, a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth allowed John Whit Snopek to cross the plate, moving the score to a 4-2 advantage for the Rangers.

McMillin's leadoff homer to right field in the sixth inning seemed to be the final blow, and ICC left two runners stranded in the seventh to end the game.

Maddox and Maranto led the charge for Northwest, finishing with two base hits each. McMillin, Snopek and Austin Batts also finished with a base hit in the winning effort.

Brock Ware (2-6) was handed the loss for Itawamba, surrendering four unearned runs against two walks and four strikeouts. Treadaway tossed the final inning of relief, giving up an earned run and earning one strikeout. He also accounted for two of the Indians' three base hits.
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