CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College baseball team opened its Gulf South Conference weekend series against Lee University with 7-4 victory at Dickins-Scoper Stadium, Frierson Field on Friday, March 18. MC improved to 9-15 on the season and 4-6 in league play. Lee falls to 11-13 and 5-7.
 
The win marked the second, series-opening win of the season for the Navy and Gold. The Choctaws took the opener at Young Harris College on Feb. 12.
 
MC grabbed multiple-hit performances from Caleb Reese and Cody Crifasi as the duo combined for four of the team's eight hits on the day. Reese added a pair of RBI to notch a multi-RBI effort as well.
 
Joseph Cuomo (2-4) garnered his second win of the season while Jackson Smith (1) tallied his first save of the campaign. Cuomo fanned six in 6.2 frames and allowed the four Lee runs on eight hits as he also walked a pair. Smith did not allow a LU hitter to reach base in 1.1 innings. He added a strikeout to his ledger. Bryce Lewis saw action out of the bullpen with one hit allowed in his one inning of work.
 
MC jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead through the first four frames. After Lee added its first run in the top of the fourth, the Choctaws expanded their margin in the bottom half of the inning as Jackson Breedlove and Matthew Priest each drove in a run. Caleb Reese added the final blow for the Navy and Gold with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth – his third of the season.
 
Lee attempted a rally as it posted three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Choctaw bullpen slammed the door as it allowed just one baserunner the remaining 2.1 frames.
 
Miguel Alba (1-1) was saddled with the loss on the mound for the Flames as he gave up seven runs on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Justen Freeman and Nate Bynum paced LU at the dish with two hits each.
 
Mississippi College and Lee return to action on Saturday, March 19 as they close out the three-game series with a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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