MILLINGTON, TENN. - The Northwest Mississippi Community College baseball team (2-0) opened their season with a doubleheader sweep of Missouri State University-West Plains (0-2), earning an 8-6 victory after fending off a late Grizzly push in game one and walking it off to win 8-7 in game two.
Game 1 - NWCC 8 MSU West Plains 6
NWCC got off to a slow start in the first game of the double header, scoring no runs in the first three innings. After allowing one run in the top of the third inning and two in the top of the fourth, the Rangers broke into the scoring column with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game up. Northwest would go on to score in each of their final three trips to the plate, scoring one run in the bottom of the fifth and four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
MSU-WP tried to mount a late game comeback, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning. However, the Ranger pitching and defense were able to hold off the Grizzlies to ultimately win the game.
Offensively, sophomores Mason McMillin and John Whit Snopek were able to show their potential of being a star offensively for NWCC. McMillin had a homerun to go along with three RBIs in the first game, and Snopek had two RBIs to go along with a stolen base.
Preston Johnson picked up the win for the Rangers in relief of Eli Deberry. Johnson threw 2.2 innings and gave up four hits and three earned runs while striking out three. South McCoy came in for relief and to secure his first save of the season. South McCoy came in for the final two outs and to secure his first save of the season.
Game 2 - NWCC 8 MSU West Plains 7
In the second game of the day, the Rangers were forced to come from behind to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh.
The game seemed to be going in favor of Missouri State University-West Plains for the first three innings. However, after garnering a 6-1 lead in the first four innings of the game, the Grizzlies gave up four runs in the bottom of the fifth for the Rangers to cut the lead to one.
The game would continue to be a close affair with both teams scoring one run in the sixth inning. Going into the bottom of the seventh inning, NWCC was down by one run. Needing at least one run to extend the game, Northwest delivered, scoring two runs to secure the walk off victory.
Mason Gillentine proved to be the star of game two offensively. Gillentine accumulated three RBIs, tied for the most across both teams, and reached base three times.
Four other Rangers had an RBI in the contest. While not recording a hit, South McCoy, Walker Sanders, and Corey Watkins all recorded an RBI. Lake Reed was the only Ranger, other than Gillentine, to record a hit and an RBI.
Using five pitchers, Head Coach Mark Carson did not hesitate to call upon his bullpen. John Griffin Lane received credit for the win in relief with a clean top of the seventh inning.
UP NEXT
The Rangers will close out their series against Missouri State University-West Plains in Millington, Tenn., at USA Stadium tomorrow, February 7 at 12 p.m.
To stay up to date on the NWCC baseball team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.
