OXFORD, Ala. --- Mississippi College took the opening game of the Gulf South Conference tournament on Wednesday, defeating Lee by a final score of 6-5 in Oxford, Ala.
Lee came out swinging in the first inning, with a leadoff home run to left field, quickly securing the first run of the game. Lee scored four runs on five hits, including the solo home run, three singles, and one double to take the early 4-0 lead.
MC wasted no time in responding. In the second inning, Cam Bailey's single to center field brought home Kam Eaton, putting Mississippi College on the scoreboard at 4-1. They continued to chip away at Lee's lead in the third inning, with Bailey's single through the left side driving in another run, despite Bailey being tagged out at second base, bringing the score to 4-3.
The momentum swung further in Mississippi College's favor in the fourth inning, as Jordan LaFosse's triple down the left-field line brought in Emily Rigney, leveling the score at 4-4.
Lee briefly regained the lead in the fifth inning, with a solo homer to left field putting them ahead 5-4. However, Mississippi College staged a comeback in the same inning as Ashley Lightcap's stolen base of second, coupled with a throwing error, allowed Kam Eaton to steal home, tying the game at 5-5.
Mississippi College then took the lead on Cam Bailey's sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Lightcap, to secure a hard-fought 6-5 victory.
The Lady Choctaws finished with 12 hits in the contest with Kam Eaton leading the way with three hits, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Bailey, Lightcap, and LaFosse each added two hits on the night, while Bailey improved to 23-3 overall in the circle after pitching 6.1 innings of relief. She faced 22 batters, striking out 11 along the way to pick up the win.
MC improved to 43-6 overall on the season and moves onto Thursday's quarterfinal matchup with UAH beginning with first pitch at 6. p.m. at Choccolocca Park in Oxford, Ala.
