By Brett Brown

For The Observer

Some solid pitching, good defense, and plenty of hits helped the Northwest Mississippi Community College Lady Ranger softball team open their 2010 home schedule with a doubleheader sweep of the Hinds Eagles on Feb. 25 in Senatobia.

Northwest won the first contest, 8-1, then claimed the nightcap, 9-1, to even its record at 2-2.

The Lady Rangers collected 22 hits in the doubleheader and got great pitching performances from a trio of freshmen -- Magen Fullwood of Shiloh, Tenn., Rachel McDonald and Candice Brasher, both of Hernando.

Fullwood tossed the complete seven innings and surrendered just five hits in the opener. Fullwood gave up one earned run and struck out three. She was also helped out by some great plays in the field by the Northwest defense.

The Lady Rangers broke a 1-1 tie by exploding for six runs in the third frame. Sophomore shortstop Mandy Bolden of Holly Springs and freshman outfielder Kayla Wilson of Horn Lake both had two-run singles to fuel the rally.

Wilson, Brasher, sophomore catcher Casi Brooks of Pope, and sophomore first baseman Angela Carden of Southaven collected two hits each in the contest. Northwest had 12 hits in all. Wilson led the Lady Rangers with three RBI, while Bolden and sophomore third baseman Kristen Cooper of Southaven had two each.

Northwest racked up 10 hits in the second game, three of those came from the bat of sophomore second baseman Haylei Plummer of Pope. Bolden and Brasher picked up two hits each.

The Lady Rangers got all the offense they needed in the first two innings by scoring four runs. Northwest added three more runs in the fourth frame and two more in the fifth.

Brasher was responsible for all of the Lady Rangers' runs in the fourth inning with a bases-loaded double to the gap in right center to help Northwest run-rule Hinds and end the game after five innings.

>> Pitchers McDonald and Brasher combined to limit Hinds to only six hits. Starter McDonald threw the first three frames and walked just one to earn the win.

Northwest will host East Central on Tuesday, March 2, in Senatobia. The doubleheader starts at 1 p.m.