The #25 Northwest Mississippi Community College baseball team (23-12, 10-4 MACCC) split a doubleheader against Southwest Mississippi Community College (24-16, 8-8) on Friday in Summit. The Rangers won the opener 4-1 before dropping the second game 9-3, according to a school release.
In the first game, sophomore Tyce Powers pitched five innings, allowing one run on four hits with 116 pitches. He earned his fourth win of the season, lowering his ERA to 3.79. Head coach Mark Carson praised Powers for setting the tone early, noting his competitiveness on the mound. Connor Young and Preston Johnson combined to close out the game, with Johnson earning his first collegiate save, the only one on the team this season.
Northwest scored twice in the third inning on a two-out rally, highlighted by an RBI single from South McCoy. The team added an insurance run in the sixth and ninth innings. Southwest scored its only run in the fourth after a leadoff walk, stolen base, and wild throw. The Bears’ pitching staff kept the Rangers at bay after the third inning, with Johnson and Young shutting down the opposition late.
In the second game, starting pitcher Eli Deberry struggled, giving up a leadoff home run and three runs in the first two innings. The Bears added three more runs in the sixth, aided by four singles. Northwest threatened in the seventh with the bases loaded but failed to score, ending the game on two strikeouts. Deberry took the loss, dropping to 1-4 on the season.
Coach Carson noted the effectiveness of Southwest’s bullpen in the second game, which limited the Rangers’ offense. Despite the loss, Sullivan pitched 3.1 innings in relief, his second-longest outing of the season, and continued to perform well. Northwest will return home Wednesday for a doubleheader against Northeast Mississippi Community College, followed by a Saturday home doubleheader against Hinds Community College, which is just one game behind Northwest in the standings.
