Northwest softball sends four to next level
Credit: NWCC Sports Information
Though the season isn’t over quite yet for the nationally-ranked Northwest softball program, four Ranger sophomores have made their next destinations official.
Sophomore third baseman McKaylee “K.K.” Polk (Memphis), pitcher Gabby Dickerson (Christian Brothers), pitcher/shortstop Allyson Harrison (Delta State) and pitcher Kylee Brown (Freed-Hardeman) all signed their paperwork to their respective four-year schools at a gathering on Thursday evening. The group makes 12 four-year signees for coach Chelsea Bramlett, with eight of those in the last two years alone.
A native of Senatobia, Polk lit up the conference as a freshman and has continued to do so in her sophomore swan song. After earning All-MACCC and All-NJCAA Region 23 honors last season, she also received All-American accolades from both the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
Polk’s Northwest career has been one for the record books, as she finished her freshman season with 18 doubles, 18 home runs and 61 RBIs, all previous single-season records for the Rangers. She has spent this season topping those numbers, collecting 17 doubles, three triples and 59 RBIs, as well as drawing a team-high 21 walks.
Polk has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers in the MACCC since her freshman campaign. After batting .397 last season, she currently holds a batting average of .560 with a whopping 1.353 slugging percentage and a .641 on-base percentage. As if that wasn’t enough, Polk has also only struck out once this season in 116 at-bats.
Dickerson has been equally impressive in the circle during her Northwest career. The sophomore from Olive Branch has shattered nearly every single-season and career pitching record, especially career wins (41) and career strikeouts (374). As a freshman, Dickerson totaled 239 strikeouts in 203.1 innings pitched, setting single-season records in both categories.
Additionally, Dickerson’s 26-9 record as a freshman is the best recorded by any Northwest pitcher in a single season. Her current 15-3 record ranks fifth in the same category.
Throughout her Northwest tenure, Dickerson has made a career-record 61 appearances in the circle and is tied for third in career complete games (28), joining Northwest Sports Hall of Famer Casey Baddley (2012-13). She also ranks second in career shutouts (10), trailing only Baddley’s total of 15.
Brown, a native of Bethel Springs, Tenn., has also come on strong as of late in the circle. As a freshman, she made a handful of appearances, but has 13 to her credit this season. Brown currently holds a 1.96 earned run average and a 3-3 record, issuing 60 strikeouts in 57 total innings pitched.
This season, Brown has also thrown a shutout and five complete games, while holding her opponents to a .188 batting average.
In her lone season with Northwest, Harrison has also had quite the impact on the Rangers’ pitching staff. The Itawamba transfer has made 15 appearances in the circle with a 1.83 ERA, totaling a 9-2 record in the circle and holding opposing batters to a .195 average.
Additionally, Harrison has also pitched three complete games and has issued 68 strikoeuts in 57.1 innings pitched. At the plate, she also leads the Rangers in triples (4) and has been the everyday shortstop when not pitching.
Northwest (31-9) is the No. 5 seed in the upcoming NJCAA Region 23 Tournament and will open the postseason against fourth-seeded LSU-Eunice on Wednesday, May 10. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Ellisville.
