CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- The Mississippi College softball team lost the championship game of the National Christian College Athletic Association MidEast Regional, 9-1, to Lee University on Saturday afternoon at Butler Field.

The Lady Choctaws (27-22) will now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to the national tournament in Botetourt County, Va., beginning on Wednesday, May 13th.

MC went into the regional tournament as the #6 ranked team in the country, and with a couple of wins over Kentucky Christian on Friday, they have a great opportunity to qualify for the national tournament for the second straight year.

The game was scoreless through three innings, but the Lady Flames (33-17) broke through in the fourth when they put runners on first and third with no outs on a single and an error. A double steal gave Lee the lead, 1-0.

Junior Carlie Sargent was able to limit the damage, however, as she finished the inning, allowing just the one run.

In the top of the fifth, junior Madison Oliver tied the game with her second home run in as many days. Her two-out long ball would be the only run the Lady Choctaws would score.

MC was forced to go deep into their bullpen after playing three consecutive games on Friday, and the Lady Flames took advantage with four runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take the victory.

Angie Hughes tossed a complete game for Lee for the second straight day, allowing just three hits and striking out three.

The announcement of the 10 teams that qualify for the NCCAA national tournament will take place on Saturday night.