WESSON - A strong effort at the plate from Ellie Fryar still wasn't enough for Northwest to upend top-seeded tournament host Copiah-Lincoln on Tuesday afternoon, as the Rangers dropped a 5-3 loss to the Lady Wolves in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament semifinals.

Fryar, a sophomore from Dumas, finished 3-for-4 at the plate with three doubles, bringing her total to 16 for the season. Fryar and Carly Dunigan are tied for fifth in single-season doubles, joining Angela Carden (2009) and Kendall Alford (2014).

With the loss, Northwest dropped to 42-10 as Co-Lin ran its record to 43-4 on the season. The Lady Wolves secured an automatic bid to the upcoming NJCAA Division II Softball World Series, and will face Jones College for the NJCAA Region 23 title on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Rangers will join a handful of other MACCC teams in playing the waiting game, hoping to secure one of four at-large bids in a 20-team tournament field. Northwest reached the Division II World Series back in 2022 and have won nine games against nationally-ranked opponents this season, including seven against teams ranked in the Top 15.

Tournament selections will be officially announced on Tuesday, May 13 at 2 P.M.

As for the game itself, two critical errors allowed Co-Lin to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Northwest responded in the top of the second with an error by the Lady Wolves' second baseman, allowing Emma Jennings to score and tie the game. 

However, Co-Lin responded in the third inning as back-to-back base hits put two runners in scoring position. Taylor Efferson followed with a two-run single up the middle, pushing the lead to 3-1.

A two-run homer from Stella Roberts pushed the Lady Wolves' advantage to 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Rangers responded with a two-run fifth inning. Kaylee Reed drew a leadoff walk and Fryar's double to center field was aided by an error on the throw, allowing Reed to score.

Dunigan then grounded out to third base, allowing Fryar to cross the plate from third base, closing the gap to 5-3.

Co-Lin threatened to put the game out of reach in the next two innings, but Morgen Brewton held the Lady Wolves scoreless, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth. Northwest made some noise in the seventh inning, thanks to a two-out double from Fryar. However, Dunigan followed with a double, only for Fryar to be thrown out at the plate on a throw from left field, ending the game.

Both teams combined for 17 base hits, with eight of those coming from the Rangers. Aside from Fryar's leading effort, Dunigan also went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, with Jennings, Addison Owen and Sommer Tyes accounting for one base hit each.

Rogers (10-6) was issued the loss in 3.1 starting innings, while Brewton pitched 2.2 frames of relief and allowed three walks, but kept Co-Lin scoreless. Efferson (16-2) recorded the win in the circle, striking out four batters over a complete game.

Efferson, Brelie Phillips and Emelie Williams combined for six of the Lady Wolves' nine base hits.
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