No. 18 Indians sweep Northwest with a walk-off and run-rule victories

FULTON, Miss. – The No. 18 Itawamba Community College Indians picked up their third sweep in conference play Wednesday defeating Northwest Mississippi Community College, 4-3, on a walk-off single by Macey Cox (Tory, Tenn.) in game one and run-ruling the Rangers, 8-0, in game two.

Game 1: Indians 4, Northwest 3

The Indians (17-8-1, 7-1 MACJC) got off to a hot start with Rachel Sternisha (Olive Branch) hitting a two-run home run to left in the opening frame to put the Tribe up 2-0.

Northwest was retired in order in the first two innings, but took advantage of three walks and a hit batter to score two runs off one hit in the third and tied the game at 2-2.

In the fifth, Northwest took the lead on a bases-loaded walk, but Cox tied the contest in the bottom half on a single that scored Makenzie Toombs (Ackerman).

Cox struck again in the bottom of the seventh with a hard hit single up the middle to score Samantha Conley (Mandeville, La.) and give the Indians the 4-3 walk-off win.

Hannah Swallers (Olive Branch) picked up the win to improve to 3-2 this season allowing only one hit in two-and-two-thirds innings.

Game 2: Indians 8, Northwest 0 (5-innings)

The Indians wasted little time in the nightcap as Kacey Carpenter (Grenada) hit a bases-clearing double to give them a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Hope Harbin (Columbus) singled in the third, and the Indians extended their lead to 8-0, scoring four in the fourth.

Two runs scored as Cox singled down the left field line, and Summer Cryder (Tupelo) scored on an error during a pickoff attempt. Cox later scored on a wild pitch to put the run-rule into effect.

Kaylee Nelson (Moulton, Ala.) allowed only three hits and struck out two in five innings to improve to 3-2 this season.

The Indians will travel to Decatur Friday for a conference doubleheader with East Central Community College beginning at 2 p.m.

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