on the juco watch

The junior college season is young, but key series are already beginning to sprout. Longtime MACJC rivals Northwest and Northeast, both playing very well, meet in Senatobia on Wednesday. The host Rangers, coming off a much-wanted sweep of Itawamba, are unbeaten in the North Division at 4-0. Sophomore pitcher Cody Reed is 3-1 for a 13-6 club. Northeast is 3-1 in the league and has won six of its last seven, picking up coach Kent Farris’ 150th win during that stretch. First place in the South Division will be on the line in Ellisville on Wednesday when Jones County (15-7, 3-1) hosts Copiah-Lincoln (13-8, 3-1). Another South twinbill to watch this weekend is the Pearl River-Hinds clash in Raymond. Hinds, ranked in the preseason, is 10-10 overall and 2-2 in the division after a sweep of fading Gulf Coast last Thursday. PRCC (18-6, 2-2) is No. 8 in the most recent NJCAA Division II poll.