GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Northwest Mississippi Community College softball team (4-2) split a pair of games to Gulf Coast State College (12-5) and Reid State (3-16) on the second day of the Coyote Classic at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, finishing their only tournament action of the year with a 2-2 record over the two-day trip.
Game 1 - NWCC 4 Gulf Coast State 5
A three-run sixth inning was not enough for the Rangers to mount a comeback.
All of Gulf Coast State's runs came in the first three innings, with two runs being scored in the first two innings and one run scored in the third inning.
Although NWCC accumulated eight hits, they only produced three total RBIs. Two RBIs came from Emma Jennings and one from Ava Rhoden. Rhoden's RBI double in the three-run sixth was NWCC's only hit for extra bases.
At the beginning of the game, pitching struggled to settle in for Northwest. Catelyn Brown once again got the start but allowed four runs on six hits while striking out none in only 1.2 innings pitched.
Meredith Dearman came in for relief in the second inning and went 4.1 innings while allowing one run on four hits and striking out five.
Game 2 - NWCC 12 Reid State 5
In a game bracketed by two five run innings in the first and seventh, Northwest garnered nine RBIs on their way to a seven-run victory to close out the weekend.
Carleigh Calarco proved to be the offensive spark plug that the Rangers needed, accumulating three RBIs on three hits with one hit being a double.
However, Calarco was not the only NWCC player to find offensive success. Rhoden, Jennings, and Allyson Christmas all had two hits each throughout the game.
Lillianna Cates and Handley McAtee showed the power that was possible in the Ranger lineup when they hit a double and a triple respectively.
Northwest was quick to advance on the base path, successfully stealing bases as they continue to be aggressive with runners on base.
Head Coach Chelsea Bramlett did not hesitate to go to her bullpen, and every Ranger pitcher that has seen game action thus far in the season, saw at least a full inning of action.
Kate Johnson got the start for NWCC and had a successful outing. Johnson went 1.2 innings while allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on one hit and three strikeouts.
Brown came in for relief and was credited with the win after pitching 4.1 innings and only allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on 10 hits and one strikeout.
There was no greater display of Northwest's defensive ability than how they were able to have Brown's back, playing a huge role in only allowing three runs to be scored on 10 hits.
UP NEXT
On Thursday at 1 p.m., the Rangers will face National Park (11-5) in a double header in Senatobia at Ranger Softball Field. Due to inclement weather and the first "home" game having to be played at Senatobia Sports Park, this will be the first game played on campus at Northwest.
All NWCC home games will be streamed on https://nwccrangers.com/watch/.
To stay up to date on the NWCC softball team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.
