Senatobia, Miss. — Four members of the No. 11 Northwest Mississippi Community College softball team were named to the MACCC All-Conference list Tuesday. Freshmen Ava Claire Rhoden and Meredith Dearman earned first-team honors, while Sela Mancini and Carleigh Calarco received honorable mentions.
Rhoden, who batted leadoff all season, showcased one of the top contact hitting seasons nationally. She posted a .435 batting average, fifth best in the conference, with 70 hits, fourth in the MACCC. She also scored 16 runs and had 17 stolen bases, tying for 19th in the league. Defensively, Rhoden committed only six errors in 46 games at second base, finishing with 133 chances and helping turn six double plays.
Northwest head coach Chelsea Bramlett praised Rhoden, saying she had a phenomenal freshman year and was a key spark for the team. “She has been our little spark plug from the very beginning and really came out of her shell at second base,” Bramlett said.
Dearman, another freshman, was the team’s ace pitcher. She appeared in 34 games, started 20, and posted a 19-7 record. She finished the season with a 3.02 ERA over 155.1 innings, striking out 167 batters — third most in school history and second among freshmen. Bramlett called Dearman a dominant force and praised her for steadying the team all season.
Sela Mancini earned honorable mention after a strong finish to her season. She hit .349 with six home runs, 14 extra-base hits, and 28 RBIs in 41 games. Her late-season power included four of her six homers coming in April and May, including two in the Region 23 Tournament. Bramlett noted Mancini’s adaptability, highlighting her transition to outfield after primarily playing first base.
Junior shortstop Carleigh Calarco also made the list. She batted .340, with four home runs, 11 extra-base hits, and 34 RBIs — second on the team. Her late-season surge included reaching base in 20 of 24 games. Bramlett commended Calarco’s work ethic and improvement, noting her better performance this year compared to last.
The team is preparing for the NJCAA Division II World Series, starting May 19 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Region 23 awards will be announced later this week, followed by All-American selections in late May.
Fans can follow the team’s progress at nwccrangers.com or through Northwest’s social media channels.
