CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College baseball team's attempt at a come-from-behind victory to salvage the Gulf South Conference series against the University of Montevallo fell short on Sunday, March 17, as UM (16-10, 8-4 GSC) held off the Choctaws (12-11, 4-8 GSC), 10-8, at Frierson Field at Dickins-Scoper Stadium.
 
Cole Drake and JT Vance paced the squad at the dish. Both went 2-for-5 at the plate with three RBI. Vance scored twice during the contest. Logan Shurden joined the duo in the multiple-hit column as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
Tristan Thurman (0-2) took the setback on the mound in a relief appearance. He allowed one run in two-thirds of an inning on the bump without allowing a hit in three batters faced. Thurman was one of five Choctaw hurlers to see action on the rubber in the contest.
 
The Blue and Gold trailed by six runs after five and a half innings, but rallied with a six spot in the home half of the sixth to force a stalemate at 6-all. Drake delivered the game-tying hit with a bases-clearing, double to left center. Wesley Sides, Vance and Caleb Reese all scored on the two-base hit. Vance cut the lead in half one batter prior as he singled through the right side to Bryce LaRocca and Banks Hyde, who placed the Choctaws on the board with a fielder's choice that plated Korey Cooper.
 
The Falcons responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to regain the advantage, but MC again looked to rally as it posted a run in its next two at bats. LaRocca lifted a sacrifice fly into right field that scored Logan Shurden and Vance drew the margin to within a run in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run to center field. It marked the team-leading 10th home run of the season for the Union, Miss., native, including his second of the weekend and fourth of the four-game week.
 
However, the Purple and Gold garnered a run in the top of the ninth to extend the deficit to two runs and clinch the series sweep. It is the first sweep of the Blue and Gold of the season and the first since Apr. 22, 2023 – also at the hands of the Falcons.
 
UM sent four pitchers to the mound as Connor Phelan (2-1) garnered the win and Zach Wyatt (1) logged a save. Phelan got the Falcons out of the sixth with the final out after giving up two runs on two hits alongside a pair of walks and a strikeout. Wyatt pitched the final three innings with three strikeouts and two runs allowed on three hits.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Tuesday, March 19 as it travels to Jackson, Tenn., for a non-conference contest against GSC member, Union University. First pitch against the Bulldogs is set for 4 p.m.