SENATOBIA– The Coahoma Community College softball team opened their season with two non-conference games against Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Tigers had a really good start, but the Rangers had a better finish in a (7-1, 9-0) victory on Tuesday afternoon.

In the 1st game, Coahoma watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 7-1 loss. The Tigers got on the scoreboard first when Brooke Saez doubles on a line drive to center field. Dede Mathis scored giving Coahoma a 1-0 lead.

Northwest (3-4) took a 3-1 lead on a groundout by Maddy Politte and a double by Alexis McShan in the second inning.

The Tigers struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Northwest; giving up seven runs. 

Harley Smith got the start for Northwest. She surrendered one run on three hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking zero. 

Mekayla Hubbard led things off on the hill for Coahoma. She lasted six innings; allowing ten hits and seven runs while striking out one. 

Northwest MS CC scattered ten hits in the game. Politte and Shelby Wilson all managed multiple hits for Northwest MS CC. 

Alicia Witherspoon, Saez, and Mathis each collected one hit to lead the Tigers. Coahoma didn't commit a single error in the game.

In the 2nd game, Coahoma fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 9-0 loss. Northwest got things started in the first inning. They scored first 1-0 when Sarah Johnson got an RBI single. 

The Tigers struggled to contain the high-powered offense of Northwest; giving up nine runs. 

A double by Hubbard in the second inning was a positive for Coahoma. Cherokee Grays popped out to end the scoring threat.

The Rangers scored eight runs in the 3rd inning. McShan, Morgan Gresham and Shelby Wilson got a pair of RBI singles. Harley Smith put the game away with a three-run homer.

Johnson led things off on the rubber for Northwest. She allowed one hit and zero runs over two innings, striking out one and walking one. 

Hubbard toed the rubber for Coahoma. She lasted four innings, allowing nine hits and nine runs. 

Northwest collected nine hits. Smith and McShan all managed multiple hits for the Rangers. Northwest was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. 

Alicia Witherspoon and Hubbard each collected one hit to lead Coahoma. 

"I can't be disappointed because there was a lot of things we did really well," said Coahoma Head Coach Erin Smith. "We have to make some adjustments at the plate. The team who plays defense the longest normally wins a ball game."

Coahoma and Northwest will meet again in MACJC Conference play on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Eddie C. Smith Sportsplex. The doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m.

The Tigers go to 0-2 in the season. They will start MACJC Conference play against Holmes Community College.  The game is scheduled on Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Goodman, MS. The doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m.