CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College's softball team secured a resounding victory against West Alabama (34-18) in the opening game of the Clinton Regional in the NCAA Division II South II Region, earning them a coveted spot in the second round against Tampa at the MC Softball Complex on Friday at 12 p.m..
The Choctaws wasted no time asserting themselves on both offense and defense, with Camryn Bailey delivering two strikeouts in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. McCall Lee's powerful blast to left field further bolstered MC's lead, propelling them ahead by two runs over West Alabama.
The scoring remained stagnant until the fourth inning, when West Alabama managed to notch their first run of the game, courtesy of a single from Marissa Mitchell and another from Anna Marie Stanbridge, narrowing MC's lead to a single run.
Undeterred, MC responded in kind during the same inning, scoring one run off two hits—a double by Jenny Griggers and another by Jordan Moore—before Bailey crossed the plate, extending their lead to a commanding three runs.
In the fifth inning, Bailey continued her stellar performance by striking out two more batters, while MC capitalized on a Shelby Samples single, a walk by Lee, and another walk by Eaton to notch another run on the scoreboard. Both Jordan LaFosse and Samples crossed the plate, solidifying MC's lead and ultimately securing a convincing 6-1 victory over West Alabama.
MC moved to 46-7 on the season overall Bailey broke the single season wins record with 25 wins in the circle on the season, improving to 25-4.
Looking ahead, MC will return to the Clinton Regional tomorrow to face off against Tampa, widely regarded as the best pitching team in the country, in what promises to be an intense matchup at 12pm.
Stat of the day
Notable statistics from the game include Bailey's impressive performance, finishing with eight strikeouts while throwing her sixth complete game of the season. Additionally, MC's hitters tied for second in season stats with six walks, showcasing their discipline and strategic approach at the plate.
