Northwest Rankin used a nine-run third inning to bury Warren Central in a non-division game in Brandon Tuesday.

“Our bats were as cold as could be,” WC coach Lucy Young said.

That wasn’t the case for the home team.

The Lady Cougars (19-2) cranked out 15 hits while holding the Lady Vikes (14-7) to a season-low two hits.

Nikki McClaskey led Northwest Rankin’s eight-hit, third-inning barrage with a three-run homer over the fence.

Lashanda Williams drove in WC’s only run in the fourth.

Things won’t get easier for the Lady Vikes this week as they continue to prepare for the playoffs, which start Oct. 14. They play at Clinton Thursday at 5 p.m.

Sebastopol 16, St. Al 2

The Lady Bobcats (9-3, 6-1 division) jumped on visiting St. Aloysius early and late, taking an 8-0 lead in the first inning and winding down with seven runs in the fifth inning.

Stephanie Evans had a run-scoring double for the Lady Flashes (7-7, 6-3 in division). She took the loss.

St. Al managed only four hits. The home team churned out 12.

Sebastopol and Puckett are 6-1 in division play. Only the top two teams in each division advance to the playoffs.

The Lady Flashes host Lake in a division contest Thursday at 5 p.m. at Halls Ferry Park.