Another unbeaten week for Northwest softball was rewarded in Monday’s latest NJCAA Division II Rankings, as the Rangers have now moved up one more slot to No. 2 in the nation.
Northwest, which was slotted at No. 3 last week, swept Holmes and Hinds in conference action to improve to 22-2 overall and 11-1 in the MACCC. Once again, this week’s ranking is a new program-best.
During this week’s sweeps, sophomore pitcher Gabby Dickerson also combined for 19 strikeouts and two wins in the circle, improving to 10-0 on the season. Most notably, Dickerson also eclipsed the 300-strikeout threshold and shattered the program’s career strikeout record, previously held by Northwest Sports Hall of Famer Lacie McCulley-Cook from 2005-06.
Murray State College (Okla.) remains atop the national rankings with a 32-0 overall record. Parkland College, who the Rangers defeated earlier this season in the Vicksburg JUCO Classic, moved up to No. 3, while Louisburg (N.C.) and Des Moines Area round out the top five.
Three other MACCC programs entered or remained in the top 10 this week, led by eighth-ranked Copiah-Lincoln. Northeast checked in at No. 10 nationally, while the Rangers’ Good Friday opponent, Jones College, moved up a spot to ninth.
Pearl River and Itawamba remained in the rankings, but the Lady Wildcats slid to No. 13, while the Lady Indians moved down from 17th to 18th. Additionally, Region 23 foe LSU-Eunice stayed put at No. 12, holding a record of 28-13 overall.
Northwest is set to travel to Coahoma on Tuesday, April 4 at 1/3 P.M., before traveling to the ninth-ranked Jones College Bobcats on Friday, April 7. No stream will be available for tomorrow’s games at Coahoma, but Friday’s 2/4 P.M. twin bill at Jones College can be seen on Bobcat TV (jcbobcats.com/watch).
