NWCC baseball team takes a pair from Arkansas Baptist

Northwest used some solid pitching to win the opener 1-0, then broke out the bats to claim the nightcap 10-2.  The Rangers, who have won seven of their last eight contests, improved to 11-6 overall in preparation for the opening of MACJC North Division Play.

Hervey silenced the Arkansas Baptist offense in the first contest. He scattered three hits over 6.2 innings of work, while striking out nine to improve his record to 2-0. Freshman Drew Griffin of Somerville, Tenn., picked up his first save.

Hervey got the Rangers out of two bases-loaded jams in the game. He struck out the side with the bases full in the first inning, then foiled the Buffaloes squeeze play in the sixth frame by catching a bunt in the air and throwing to third to complete a double play.

Northwest freshman third baseman Ethan Bright of Batesville provided the eventual winning run in the first inning when he singled home outfielder Tyler Benson from third base.

Bright took the mound in the second game as the starting pitcher and earned the victory to move his record to 1-0. Bright threw the first four innings and struck out six, while allowing just three hits.

The Rangers claimed a 4-2 lead after six frames, then exploded for six runs in the seventh inning. Sophomore Chris Gullick of Water Valley collected an RBI-triple in the seventh, while freshman Tyler Hadaway of Olive Branch added an RBI-double.

Northwest totaled 14 hits, five of them for extra bases. Benson and sophomore Davis Horton of Oxford led the way with three hits each, while Hadaway and Griffin added two each.