MAGNOLIA, Ark. --- The Mississippi College baseball fell, 12-9, in its non-conference midweek tilt at 11th-ranked Southern Arkansas University on Tuesday, Apr. 18 at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. The decision thwarted a chance at a season sweep of the nationally ranked Muleriders (31-11).
 
The Choctaw (15-27) run-ruled SAU earlier this season in Clinton as it looked for the program's first win in Magnolia.
 
Bridley Thomas, Kolby McWilliams and Beau Kirsch led the way at the plate as each part of the trio recorded a pair of hits in the contest. Thomas and McWilliams notched multiple-RBI efforts alongside their multi-hit performances. McWilliams recorded three RBI followed by Thomas' two-RBI afternoon.
 
MC trailed early in the contest, but rallied in the top of the fifth to gain the upperhand, 9-8, through five innings as it posted eight runs in the frame. Eleven members of the Blue and Gold went to the plate in the inning as it tallied five hits during the at bat.
 
 Kolby McWilliams and Bridley Thomas headlined the big inning as they both notched multi-RBI hits to assist in gaining the advantage. McWilliams two-run, single narrowed the gap to three runs while Thomas' two-RBI single gave MC the go-ahead run as it ran down the left field line. JT Vance, Beau Kirsch and Luis Alcantara each added RBI at-bats to help in the run producing.
 
SAU rallied to regain the lead in the home half of the sixth as it posted five runs behind the power of back-to-back home runs. Chris Garcia landed the biggest shot with a three-run homer to place the Muleriders back on top at 11-9. Jackson Duke followed with a solo home run to provide the final score of the contest as the SAU pitching staff retired nine of last 10 batters to close the door.
 
Ervin Simmons (1-4) received the setback on the bump as he tossed 2.1 frames in relief of Choctaw starter Austin Huggins. He allowed five runs on two hits along with three strikeouts and two walks in the appearance. Huggins pitched 3.1 frames with seven runs – six earned – on five hits alongside five walks and two strikeouts. Carson Turner and Slade Haney combined for the final 2.1 frames of action as the duo held the SAU bats scoreless and hitless with four combined strikeouts.
 
Micah Burke (2-3) picked up the win, as he was one of 10 Muleriders to take the hill in the contest. Burke finished with 2.2 scoreless innings in relief as he held the Choctaw without a hit during the span as well along with two strikeouts.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Friday, Apr. 21 as it travels to the Yellowhammer State for a tussle with the conference's top team, the University of Montevallo. First pitch for the first game of the three-game series is marked for 5 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 
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