CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- Two big innings helped alter the outcomes in Cleveland, Tenn., as the Mississippi College baseball team dropped a doubleheader at No. 2 Lee University on Sunday, April 25. The nationally-ranked Flames (31-4, 25-3 Gulf South Conference) used a five-run, sixth inning to grab an 11-4 win in the opening game of the series and posted a three-run, eighth in game two to win 8-6.
 
The win in the opener snapped a GSC-long, seven-game win streak for the Choctaws (15-17, 12-15 GSC).
 
Dakota Kennedy and Dylan Duplechain led the offensive charge for the Navy and Gold as they compiled three hits apiece in the twinbill. Duplechain led the lead at the dish in the opening game going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run score. Kennedy followed up in game two with a pair of hits, scoring twice and a RBI. Reese led the team in the second contest with three RBI.
 
Payton Russell (3-4) took the loss on the mound in the first game of the day. Russell allowed six runs on 10 hits and notched a pair of strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Jackson Bridges (5-3) took the loss on the mound in the second game. He gave up five runs – four earned – on nine hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
 
Mississippi College and Lee conclude the series on Monday, April 26. First pitch is set for Noon central.

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GAME 1: Mississippi College 4 | Lee 11
DATE: Sunday, April 25, 2021
LOCATION: Olympic Field
RECORDS: Choctaws 15-16, 12-14 GSC | Flames 30-4, 24-3 GSC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After Lee plated the first three runs of the game in its first trip at the dish, Mississippi College got on the board in the top of the third as Duplechain and Dakota Kennedy each logged RBI hits after Logan McGrew set the table with a hit to the start the frame.
- Lee added five runs in the sixth to expand its lead to 8-2, but Duplecahin cut the lead in half in the top of the eighth with a two-run home run that scored Kennedy.
- The Flames responded with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to ice the contest.
 
ON THE MOUND
- Jackson Smith and Lance Wade each saw action out of the bullpen. Smith allowed two runs on four hits in his appearance. Wade tossed 2.1 innings and allowed three runs – all unearned – on three hits and recorded a strikeout.
- Logan Workman (6-0) took the win on the bump for the Flames as he tossed 8.0 frames and allowed four runs – two earned – on six hits and recorded 10 strikeouts. Alan Rickman came on to pitch the final inning in relief.

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GAME 2: Mississippi College 6 | Lee 8
DATE: Sunday, April 25, 2021
LOCATION: Olympic Field
RECORDS: Choctaws 15-17, 12-15 GSC | Flames 31-4, 25-3 GSC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lee broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third as Justen Freeman scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Flames a 2-1 lead. LU added another run as Alan Smith scored on a throwing error.
- Brandon Daniels expanded the lead to 4-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Choctaws responded in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs as Kennedy hit a sac fly to left center to score Alex Hay and Markarius Lee scored later on a Duplechain ground out to cut the deficit to a run.
- Following a Ryan Beamish solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, Ken Scott followed with a solo home run of his own to pull back within a run, 5-4.
- MC had a chance to take the lead in the seventh inning as Kennedy logged a leadoff single to start the inning. Following back-to-back walks to Duplechain and Reese, MC loaded the bases with nobody out, however, pop fly and back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
- After a scoreless bottom of the seventh and top of the eighth, the Flames responded with three runs in the eighth as Daniels doubled down the left field line to score Colton Yeager and LU capitalized on two MC miscues to scratch off two additional runs.
- The Choctaws mounted a rally in the top of the ninth as Kennedy reached on a throwing error and a batter later, Reese connected on a two-run home run, but that would be all for MC.
 
ON THE MOUND
- Dylan Marsh pitched the final frame in the final game of the day. Marsh surrendered three runs – all unearned – on two hits along with a walk and strikeout.
- Seth Konkel (5-0) took the win on the mound for the Flames with four runs on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Andy Riveria (9) logged a save on the bump as he allowed two runs on one hit in the final two frames. Alan Carter toed the rubber for 1.1 innings and allowed one hit, while walking two and striking out three.

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INSIDE THE BOX
- Mississippi College and Lee have split the first 18 meetings in the series as both have nine wins in the series. The setback in the opening game snapped a five-game win streak by the Choctaws.
- Mississippi College is 0-7 against nationally-ranked teams this season. This is the first setback to a top 10 team on the road since falling to then, fifth-ranked West Georgia on Feb. 24, 2018.
- With home runs in the second contest, Reese and Scott are tied for tops on the team with nine apiece. Reese moved into a tie for 18th in program history along side Chauncey Callier with 14. Scott's homer places him with 13 in his career and tied with Duplechain, who garnered his 13th homer in game one, and five former Choctaws for 20th.