POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College softball team concluded its regular season Saturday with a doubleheader loss to Pearl River Community College. The Rangers, ranked 17th nationally, fell 9-1 in five innings and 3-2 in the second game against the Wildcats, who are ranked fifth.
In the opener, Northwest starting pitcher Catelyn Brown struggled early, allowing four runs in the first inning, including a home run and a double. Pearl River added two more runs in the second inning on a two-run single, building a 6-0 lead. Brown settled down afterward, retiring the side in order in the third and surrendering just one run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.
The Rangers’ offense managed to get seven runners on base in the first three innings but failed to score until the fifth. Emma Jennings delivered a two-out, RBI single to left field, scoring Lillianna Cates and making it 7-1. Pearl River scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to end the game via run rule, 9-1. Despite only five hits, Northwest had 11 baserunners and struck out only twice in the game.
In the second game, freshman pitcher Meredith Dearman kept Pearl River off the board for five innings, allowing the Rangers to take a 2-0 lead. Northwest scored first in the third inning, with an RBI single by Handley McAtee after singles by Jennings and Ava Claire Rhoden. Lindsey Gillis added another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to center.
Pearl River rallied in the sixth, capitalizing on an error and a five-batter string reaching base, with three scoring to take a 3-2 lead. Northwest mounted a late threat in the seventh, with singles from Sela Mancini and Jennings, but a strikeout ended the game, giving Pearl River the win. Dearman struck out three and worked around 13 baserunners in her effort, bouncing back after a tough outing Thursday.
The Rangers now prepare for the Region 23 Tournament in Wesson. They are seeded fifth and will face LSU-Eunice on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Lady Wolves Field. The tournament bracket includes subsequent elimination and crossover games, with details available at nwccrangers.com and on the team’s social media accounts.
