CLEVELAND, Miss. --- The Mississippi College baseball team dropped the series finale at 25th-ranked Delta State University, 18-13, on Sunday, April 10. MC moves to 12-25 on the season and 6-15 in Gulf South Conference action. The Statesmen improve to 23-10 and 15-5 in league play.
 
The 13 runs matched a season-high as it equaled the mark set at West Alabama on Feb. 19. The Choctaws outscored its northwest neighbors 9-0 over the final five frames.
 
Lance Wade, Markarius Lee and Tristan Tigrett tied for tops on the team with four hits each. Lee and Cody Crifasi each drove in a team-best three runs. Crifasi also joined the multiple-hit performances with two. Caleb Reese, Jackson Breedlove and Tigrett each drove in a pair. MC totaled a season-high 18 hits.
 
After a scoreless first frame, the Green and White amassed runs over the next three innings to grab an 18-4 lead through four. The Choctaws plated all four of their runs in the top of the third to tie the contest at 4-all. MC totaled four, two-out, RBI hits to score all four runs. Reese drove in half of the run total with a double to right center. The Bossier City, La., native's two-bagger was sandwiched between RBI singles from Lane Willis and Lee.
 
DSU responded to the Choctaws' four-run frame with eight of its own to regain the lead in the bottom of the third headlined by two home runs from Kirkland Trahan in the frame and three total for the Statesmen in the inning. It tacked on six more in the bottom of the fourth.
 
MC cut into the deficit with three runs in the top of the fifth as Tigrett plated a pair behind Lee's RBI-double earlier in the frame. Breedlove added to the run total as he drove in CJ Berry and Lee in the seventh.
 
The Navy and Gold continued to stockpile runs as it attempted to rally as Crifasi hit a three-run home run in the eighth.
 
Eight Navy and Gold hurlers saw action in the contest as started Gavin LeBlanc (1-2) was tagged with the loss. The Morse, La., native allowed six runs – all earned - on three hits along with four walks. The Choctaws surrendered 14 free passes in the game to go along with a season-high 18 runs. Brandon Gardner and Jackson Smith helped nail down the backend of the contest and allow the rally. Gardner allowed just one run on four hits in two frames with three strikeouts. Smith toed the rubber for a season-long three innings as he struck out four and allowed just one hit in relief.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Tuesday, April 12 as it travels to Searcy, Ark., to face Harding University in non-conference action. First pitch against the Bisons is 3 p.m.
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