CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College softball team dropped the rubber game of a three-game set with Valdosta State University, falling 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at the MC Softball Complex.

The Lady Choctaws (26-12, 15-9 GSC) fell behind early for the third time in the series as the Blazers (28-9-2, 14-8-1 GSC) grabbed a run on an RBI groundout from Chelsea Canara to score Jaime Phillips.

In the opening frame, MC would load the bases with two outs after a single from junior Megan Everett, a double by junior Tylan Buckley and a walk by freshman Kristen Qualls, a pop-out ended the scoreless inning.

VSU added a run in the second on a solo home run by catcher Falisia Murphy, her second of the season in just her third at-bat.

MC got their offense going in the third inning as sophomore Katherine Lee led off with a bunt single and stole second base. Everett singled Lee in to cut the score to 2-1.

Junior Haley Thompson came in to pinch-run and stole second base, moving up to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Freshman Shelby Miller drew a walk and put runners at first and third with no outs.

Caitlyn Calhoun (19-4) came up big in the circle for the Blazers, striking out Buckley, Qualls and senior Kimmie Conley to keep the lead.

MC would get a couple of base-runners in the final innings but could never draw even with VSU. The Blazers would add a run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly to give the game its final score.

Senior Carlie Sargent (13-7) took the loss for MC, scattering nine hits and threee earned runs over a complete-game effort. Calhoun struck out 10 Lady Choctaws, giving her 21 punchouts in 14.0 innings on the weekend.

Everett led the MC offense with two hits, while Kiley Rusen led the Blazer offense with three base-knocks.

The Lady Choctaws will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Millsaps for a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. in Jackson.