The Northwest Mississippi Community College softball team, ranked 17th nationally, split a doubleheader against No. 20 Northeast Mississippi on Tuesday night at The Plex.
In the opening game, Northwest took an early 2-0 lead, but Northeast rallied in the fifth inning to win 4-2. Ava Claire Rhoden led off with an infield single, and Carleigh Calarco drove in the first run with an RBI single. The Rangers extended their lead in the third inning before the Tigers responded with a home run from Chloe Skelton in the fifth. Northeast scored two more runs in that inning to take the lead and held on for the win, snapping Northwest’s five-game conference winning streak. Head coach Chelsea Bramlett said the team struggled to stay focused throughout the game.
The second game saw Northwest bounce back with a 7-5 victory. Rhoden again led off with a hit, and Carleigh Calarco’s double scored the first run. The Rangers added to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings, taking advantage of several hits and an error by the Tigers. Meredith Dearman earned her 15th win of the season, scattering eight hits and four walks. Despite a late rally by Northeast, which loaded the bases in the seventh, Dearman induced a game-ending groundout. Cates praised the team’s resilience after the loss, noting their ability to rebound after a tough start.
Northwest will next face No. 19 Hinds Community College on Saturday in Raymond, with game times at 2 and 4 p.m. Streaming information is available at nwccrangers.com. Fans can follow the team’s updates on social media.
