Late Mistakes Cost Softball at Northwest Mississippi

Senatobia, MS — Calhoun softball dropped both games of a Wednesday doubleheader on the road against the Northwest Mississippi Rangers, falling 6-5 in game one and 6-3 in game two.

The afternoon was defined by strong effort and late opportunities for the Warhawks, but defensive miscues and untimely mistakes proved costly in both contests.

Game 1 – Northwest Mississippi 6, Calhoun 5

Kaylee Williams got the start in the circle for Calhoun, facing 33 batters over 110 pitches while allowing six hits and six earned runs with four strikeouts.

Calhoun jumped ahead early, plating two runs in the top of the first inning to grab a quick lead. The Rangers answered immediately, however, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the frame to put the Warhawks in comeback mode for the remainder of the game.

Missey French ignited the offense in the second inning with a leadoff triple before Addison Mikel brought her home to trim the deficit to 5-3.

The Warhawks continued to battle and finally broke through in the sixth. A trio of doubles fueled a two-run rally that tied the game at 5-5, giving Calhoun new life after trailing since the opening inning.

But the momentum shifted again in the bottom of the seventh, when an error allowed the Rangers to push across the winning run and walk off with the 6-5 victory.

Missey French led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included two triples. Emily Burgreen finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Tessa Jacobs went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Addison Mikel added a triple and drove in three runs.

Game 2 – Northwest Mississippi 6, Calhoun 3

Emellie Hamilton took the ball to start the second game, facing 28 batters across 5.2 innings and throwing 84 pitches. Hamilton allowed eight hits and six earned runs before Aynslee Malone entered to record the final out.

Calhoun struck first again in the nightcap, stringing together three singles in the second inning to bring home the game's opening run for a 1-0 lead.

Northwest Mississippi answered in the bottom of the second to even the score, but the Warhawks regained the advantage in the third inning. Three more singles pushed across two runs and gave Calhoun a 3-1 lead heading into the later innings.

The Rangers mounted their decisive rally in the bottom of the sixth with two outs. A double followed by three consecutive singles allowed Northwest Mississippi to plate five runs and swing the game in their favor, 6-3.

Calhoun was unable to respond in the top of the seventh, completing the doubleheader sweep for the Rangers.

Tessa Jacobs again paced the offense, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Morgan Lane added a hit and drove in a run.

Head coach Denton Bowling pointed to late mistakes and composure in key moments as the difference in the games. "We managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory twice tonight," Bowling said. "Our girls fought hard and gave themselves chances to win both games, but on the road against good teams you have to play clean softball. A couple of mistakes late and letting the moment speed us up cost us. We've got to keep our composure in environments like this, execute the routine plays, and finish games when we have the lead."

Calhoun (14-11) will return to action Tuesday, March 10, when they travel north to face Columbia State at 1:30 p.m.