MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- The Mississippi College baseball team opened its first road series of the season with a 13-2, run-rule victory over Auburn University at Montgomery on Friday, Feb. 23 at O.V. Lowe Field. MC improved to 9-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference.
 
It is the first time the program has run-ruled a GSC opponent since Apr. 3, 2021 – an 11-0 blanking of the University of West Georgia at Frierson Field. The outcome snapped a six-game slide in the series with the Warhawks, who fall to 6-7 on the campaign and 2-2 in league play, and landed the Blue and Gold its first decision in Montgomery since March 23, 2019.
 
The Choctaw bats provided a 16-hit performance in the opening game of the series and picked up a complete-game, pitching gem from Holland Townes. The Ridgeland, Miss., native is the first MC hurler to record a complete-game since Cooper Gadman at No. 1 North Greenville on Feb. 11, 2023.
 
Townes (2-0) notched his second win of the season as he struck out a career-high nine in seven frames and limited the Warhawks to four hits along with three walks. The nine punch outs are the most by a MC hurler this season and the most since former Choctaw Gavin LeBlanc sat down nine against Christian Brothers University on Apr. 14, 2023. The nine Ks are tied for most in the conference this season. It is the second longest outing of the campaign for Townes.
 
The 16 hits are the third most this season for the Blue and Gold – the second highest total in conference play - and the third time the team has posted 10-plus runs in game – the most in conference play. Half of the MC hits went for extra bases, including home runs from JT Vance and Blaise Breerwood. The two home runs helped extend the Choctaws' nation-leading total to 25.
 
Vance and Breerwood helped spearhead the hit total as they were two of a quintet of Choctaws with multiple hits in the outing. Vance along with Cole Drake paced the squad with three hits each. Breerwood, Korey Cooper and Bryce Capobianco each notched two hits to join in the multi-hit efforts. Cooper led the team with three RBI while Breerwood, Drake and Vance tallied two apiece.
 
The Blue and Gold started out fast as it scored five runs in the top of the first, riding four of the teams' six doubles to the scoring output. After the five runs in the opening frame, MC tacked on a run in each of the next three frames and held an 8-2 advantage through four complete. The six doubles are matched a season high for the squad and are tied for second most in the conference.
 
After a scoreless fifth by both squads, the Choctaws expanded its margin with their second, five-run frame of the contest in the sixth. Vance started the scoring in the frame with a solo home run – his fifth of the season – and the second of the game for the Blue and Gold. Breerwood delivered his first of the season for the only run of the second inning. The Poplarville, Miss., native becomes the ninth Choctaw hitter to record a home run this season. It is the sixth time this season MC has hit 2-or-more home runs in game.
 
MC also added five stolen bases in the contest. It is the second time this season the squad has swiped five bags and the first since Feb. 5 against Emmanuel University.
 
Mississippi College and AUM conclude the series on Saturday, Feb. 24 with a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
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