CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- The Mississippi College softball team will look to clinch a spot in the National Christian College Athletic Association Tournament in Botetourt County, Va. when they open the MidEast Regional on Friday.

The Lady Choctaws (25-20), who enter the regional as the #2 seed, will open up at 11:00 a.m. (Central) against #3 seed Kentucky Christian (21-7). The winner will face #1 seed Lee University (31-17) at 1:30 p.m. (Central).


TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 8-9, 2015  |  Cleveland, Tenn.  |  Stanley Butler Field  (All Times Central)

Friday, May 8
11:00 AM  |  Game 1 - #2 Mississippi College (25-20) vs. #3 Kentucky Christian University (21-7)
1:30 PM  |  Game 2 - Game 1 Winner vs. #1 Lee University (31-17)
4:00 PM  |  Game 3 - Game 1 Loser vs. Game Two Loser

Saturday, May 9
1:00 PM  |  Game 4 - Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
3:30 PM  |  Game 5 - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser (If Necessary)

NOTES ON THE LADY CHOCTAWS    
Brooke O'Hair is in her 9th season as the head coach at Misisissippi College, earning her 200th career win last season. O'Hair opened her successful stint with 38-10 record and an American Southwest Conference East Division championship. The Lady Choctaws advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament that season and also qualified for the postseason tournament in 2010 and 2011.

The Lady Choctaws are coming off one off their best series of the year, taking 1-of-3 games from #1 Valdosta State in Georgia. MC outscored the top-ranked Blazers over the three-game series, 5-3. Senior Lacie Patterson and junior Carlie Sargent combined to allow just two earned runs over 20.2 innings pitched.

Patterson (6-6, 2.72 ERA) has been stellar over her last eight outings, a span of 39.1 innings. The Southaven native has allowed just six earned runs to post a 1.07 ERA.

Sargent (16-11, 2.24 ERA) was a tough-luck loser twice against Valdosta State, allowing just one earned run and 11 hits over 12.1 innings against the #1 team in the nation.

Senior Shay Mickens (.384) has seen her average jump 35 points over the last 16 games, a span that has seen her hit safely 15 times. The Odenville, Ala. native has four stolen bases last weekend against Valdosta State, tallying 76 in her career. She is just eight away from MC's all-time record of 84, set by Jennifer Jones (2008-11).

Senior Tori Bankston (.325) has hit safely in 10 straight games and has seen her average jump 34 points in that span. She and senior Karla Beth Hux (.333) are tied for the team-lead with three home runs. The two have also combined for 11 home runs on the season.

Seniors Brooke Smitherman (.345) and Macey Lee (.254) continue to climb the record books in their final season in "Blue and Gold." Smitherman is already MC's all-time leader in home runs (26), slugging percentage (.761) and on-base percentage (.579).

Lee became MC's all-time leader in games played in the doubleheader against William Carey two weeks ago. The Pearl native has now started 172 of a possible 173 games in her career. She also ranks 2nd in doubles (41) and 3rd in stolen bases (74).

NOTES ON THE LADY FLAMES    
The Lady Flames closed out their final provisional season in the Gulf South Conference by winning their final seven league series, including taking 2-of-3 from North Alabama and Shorter, the two teams that advanced to the championship game of the GSC Tournament.

They finished as the top hitting team in the league with a .337 batting average. Kaylie Drew (.420) led the team in home runs (15), doubles (14) and RBI (53). Amanda Lynn (.369) was 30-of-35 on stolen bases this season, while Dominique Hannah (.382) had a team-high three triples.

Angie Hughes (14-7, 2.51 ERA) leads the team with 142.1 innings pitched and 177 strikeouts. Leigh Beatenbough (12-7, 2.38 ERA) struck out eight in a complete game effort against Christian Brothers on April 26th.

NOTES ON THE LADY KNIGHTS    
The Lady Knights are in their inaugural season of softball and have enjoyed a successful run. KCU won a season-high 12 games from March 17-31, but they were bounced out of the Association of Independent Institutions conference tournament with two losses.

They hit .354 as a team, led by Kaylee Rigdon (.439) with 11 doubles and 29 RBI. Kaitlyn Trent (.375) leads the team with 12 doubles, while Cassandra Adkins (.356) has a team-high five home runs and 30 RBI.

Katelyn Miller (14-2, 1.85 ERA) leads the team with 102.1 innings pitched, nine complete games and 114 strikeouts. Emma Conley (7-1, 3.10 ERA) has tossed four complete games and opponents hit .292 against her.