No. 11 Indians Answer in Game 2 to Split at Northwest

SENATOBIA, Miss. - The No. 11 Indians got knocked back in the opener, then answered like a ranked team should.

After Northwest used a late two-run double to steal Game 1, the Indians came right back behind Lizzie Meeks and a pair of RBI knocks from Zoe Goodman to take Game 2 and leave Senatobia with a split.

Game 1: Northwest 2, No. 11 Indians 1

For most of the opener, ICC looked in control.

The Indians grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third when AB Marlar put the ball in play and an error allowed Alana Dossey to score. With Ramsey Montgomery working efficiently in the circle, that lone run held up deep into the game.

Then Northwest flipped it in the sixth.

Trailing by a run, the Rangers came through with a two-run double in the bottom half of the inning, turning a game ICC had managed most of the afternoon into a 2-1 deficit.

That swing was enough to decide it.

Montgomery was strong in the loss, allowing six hits and two runs over six innings while striking out seven and walking none. ICC stayed within reach to the final out, but the late extra-base hit was the difference.

"I thought we responded with a lot of grit," said ICC head softball coach Carson Owens. "I don't think our energy or effort ever wavered. And to lose the way we did, I was just impressed with the grit we showed."

Game 2: No. 11 Indians 3, Northwest 1

The response came quickly.

After Northwest opened the scoring in the second on an RBI single, ICC answered in the third when Victoria Fields doubled to center to bring home Gracyn Snell and tie the game at 1-1.

An inning later, the Indians moved in front for good.

Goodman lined a single to right in the fourth to score Emarie Boddie and give ICC a 2-1 lead. Then in the sixth, Goodman delivered again, this time bringing home Ella Duhon with another single to stretch the margin to 3-1.

Meeks went the distance in the circle, holding Northwest to one run on four hits across seven innings. She struck out seven and worked around four walks to keep the Rangers from building any momentum after the second inning.

"I think coming back to earn the split speaks to our mentality as a program," Owens said. "We talk all the time about responding and competing, no matter the circumstances. I think everyone bought in to our mentality of those words."

Up next, the Indians return home for a doubleheader against No. 15 Hinds beginning at 1 p.m. at Andy Kirk Field.

"Getting timely hits will be the difference with Hinds," Owens said. "We have done a good job of getting people on and applying pressure, we just need to continue to find a timely hit. I thought our team is ready to welcome a Top 15 team to campus and compete. We are excited for the challenge!"

Admission is free and both games will be available on LetsGoICCTV.com/red.