Northwest Mississippi softball wins 1-0 walk-off at NJCAA World Series

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College softball team secured a 1-0 walk-off victory over Cecil College in their opening game at the 2026 NJCAA Division II Softball World Series, according to school officials.

Freshman pitcher Meredith Dearman delivered a standout performance, striking out 16 batters and retiring 19 consecutive batters at one point. Dearman allowed only two hits and did not permit a baserunner after the first inning, leading to her third complete-game shutout of the season, officials said.

Northwest’s offense was limited but effective. The game’s only run came in the bottom of the seventh inning when Sela Mancini grounded a ball into left field, bringing home Aubrey Massing, who drew a leadoff walk. Massing said she aimed to reach base and trusted her teammates to bring her home.

Head coach Chelsea Bramlett praised Dearman’s performance, calling it one of the best she’s seen from a pitcher. She also credited her team’s resilience and their ability to capitalize on key moments in the game.

Northwest will face No. 4 Rock Valley College in the second round later today. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, with streaming available on nwccrangers.com. Updates and photos will be posted across Northwest’s social media channels.

Source: Original Article