A feisty cat fight will be fought as Hernando Tigers face off against Northwest Rankin Cougars at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Hernando will be coming into the matchup with an undefeated record on the line.
Hernando's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Saturday. They put the hurt on Clinton with a sharp 10-0 victory. Considering the Tigers have won six contests by more than nine runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Haylee Jackson
| 03/08/25 vs Clinton | 2 |
| 04/02/24 @ Horn Lake | 1 |
| 03/11/24 vs St. Benedict at Auburndale | 1 |
| 03/09/24 vs St. Patrick | 1 |
| 03/02/24 vs North Pike | 1 |
Haylee Jackson made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI. The dominant performance gave her a new career-high in hits.
In other batting news, Jayla Sites and Macie Dever Boaz did most of the damage at the plate: Sites scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3, while Dever Boaz scored two runs and stole Five bases. while going 2-for-3. What's more, Sites posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in March of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Callie Desmond, who scored two runs and stole Three bases. while getting on base in two of her three plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Northwest Rankin got the win against Baker on Saturday by a conclusive 8-1. The result was nothing new for the Cougars, who have now won six matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Like Hernando, Northwest Rankin also got a great game from a two-way player: Grace Wallis. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. Wallis was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season.
In other pitching news, Bella Pierce looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Brooke Smith, who scored four runs and stole Three bases. while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 1.1 stolen bases per game. Carlee Tubbs also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.
Northwest Rankin always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Baker only posted an OBP of .222.
Hernando pushed their record up to 11-0 with the win, which was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Northwest Rankin, their record now sits at 8-2.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Hernando hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .388. However, it's not like Northwest Rankin struggles in that department as they've averaged .341. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hernando couldn't quite get it done against Northwest Rankin when the teams last played back in May of 2024 as they fell 6-3. Can Hernando avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
