CLEVELAND, Miss. --- The #10 Mississippi College Lady Choctaws clinched a hard-fought victory over Delta State, prevailing with an 8-5 win at University Field.
The game began with Mississippi College showcasing their plate discipline as Emily Rigney drew a walk to lead off the inning. Rigney promptly stole second base, setting the stage for Jordan LaFosse's crucial double to right-center field, granting MC an early one-run lead. Shelby Samples followed up with a timely single up the middle, extending the Choctaws' lead to 2-0 over Delta State.
In the circle, Lady Choctaws pitcher Camryn Bailey faced an early challenge after hitting a batter. However, she quickly rallied, inducing a double play and securing the final out of the inning with her first strikeout of the night.
The second inning saw Bailey encounter further challenges, conceding her first hit of the game along with a walk. Despite this, she managed to escape the inning with two Delta State players left stranded on base.
The momentum shifted in the third inning when McCall Lee launched a solo home run to center field, extending MC's lead to 3-0.
Delta State fought back in the bottom of the third, with Raegan Stafford's single and subsequent stolen base setting the stage for MyCala Helms to drive Stafford home with a single. Calli McConnell's double then brought Helms across the plate, followed by Kyleigh Wheaton's sacrifice fly to tie the game at three apiece heading into the fourth inning.
Jordan Moore's single in the fourth set the stage for Emily Rigney's pivotal double, allowing Moore to score and MC to regain the lead at 4-3 over Delta State.
Delta State managed to even the score in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a single by Nevaeh Lopez and an error that allowed Stafford to reach base. Abbi Cataldo's clutch double then brought Lopez home, tying the game at four runs apiece.
MC reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning through McCall Lee's single and an error by the center fielder off Ashley Lightcap's hit.
Brookelyn Cannon and the Lady Choctaw defense held strong in the bottom of the fifth, securing their first scoreless inning since the second.
In the top of the sixth, Cannon's single, followed by Rigney's double, and a subsequent error allowed Cannon to score, extending MC's lead to 6-4.
The seventh inning saw Kamryn Eaton being hit by a pitch, followed by doubles from Jenny Griggers and Cannon, extending MC's lead to 8-4.
Despite Delta State's efforts in the bottom of the seventh, including Lane Daigrepont's single that brought a run home, Madison Jenkins' strikeout sealed the victory for the Lady Choctaws, securing an 8-5 win over their rivals.
Cannon finished the game with a two-for-two performance at the plate, contributing one run, two RBIs, and a double. Rigney also had a strong showing, with two hits, one run scored, one RBI, two doubles, and two walks.
Looking ahead, Mississippi College prepares to face Delta State once again in the upcoming games on Saturday at University Field beginning at 1 p.m. MC improved to 40-6 overall on the season, achieving 40 wins in back-to-back seasons.
Stat of the day: Delta State's pitcher yielded the second-highest number of runs in a game this season, totaling eight. Additionally, she allowed the third-highest number of hits (11), earned runs, and doubles, marking the most doubles conceded in a game by the team all season.
On the other hand, for the Choctaws, Emily Rigney achieved a personal season-high and career high in doubles during this game. Also it was the second most hits Brookelyn Cannon has had in a game this season.
