April 23, 2007

NEMCC SWEEPS HOLMES; READIES FOR DIVISION MATCHUPS

BOONEVILLE, Miss.--  Coach Jody Long's Northeast Tigers softball team got off to a slow start in 2007, thanks to an extremely tough out-of-state schedule loaded with teams ranked among the NJCAA's top 15 in the country.

Since the start of MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges) North Division play Northeast has turned on the intensity and reeled off 19 wins among just nine losses, including a 10-2 mark in division competition.

Most recently, the Tigers swept a home double-header over Holmes Community College on Saturday, April 21, improving their overall mark to 22-23 this season.

"We've gotten ourselves in position to reach our goals," said Jody Long, "but that's just the first step. We're facing two division double-headers; the only two left on the schedule, and both are on the road against two good teams. Needless to say this is a big week for us."

Northeast (22-23, 10-2) travels to face Itawamba Community College on Wednesday, April 25, then will visit North Division leader Northwest Community College on Saturday, April 28.

Both Northeast and Northwest have earned spots in the 2007 MACJC State Tournament as the top two squads from the North, but Saturday's double-header will determine who will host the State Tournament. Northeast must sweep NWCC to host, whereas the Lady Rangers only need to win one.

"It would be nice to keep that streak of North Division titles going," Long explained, "but we can't look ahead. Itawamba gave us all we could handle the first time we played. They'll give us their very best. Northwest swept us in Booneville earlier, and they'll be ready for us."

Northeast has won the North Division title for the past six years, and hopes to make it seven straight with wins this week.

###