Valdosta, Ga. – The #24 Mississippi College softball team (24-10, 14-6 GSC) fell on the road against Valdosta State (20-12, 16-4 GSC) in Friday's doubleheader, with a final of 5-3 in the first game and 12-7 in the second.

In game one, the Choctaws got off to a strong start in the first game, taking an early 3-0 lead. In the opening inning, Blakely Gill stole third base and scored when Valdosta State's catcher made a throwing error. In the second inning, Brookelyn Cannon's solo home run to left center extended the lead to 2-0. Megan Matheis added another run for MC in the fourth with a solo home run of her own, giving Mississippi College a 3-0 advantage.

However, Valdosta State came alive in the fifth inning, scoring five runs to take control. Despite the Choctaws' best efforts to rally, they were unable to capitalize on their early lead, and the game ended with a 5-3 loss.

In game two, Mississippi College seemed poised to bounce back in the second game, again striking early. Mathei led off the game with a double to left center, driving in Shelby Samples for the first run of the game. Valdosta State responded with a homer from Charlotte Phillips in the first inning to tie the score at 1-1.

The Choctaws went on a scoring spree in the second inning, taking a 3-1 lead when Blakely Gill doubled to right center to bring in Bella Myers and Gaddy Utsey. A throwing error by the Blazers allowed Samples to score in the third, and Matheis, who had already hit a double, drove in another run on a single to give MC a 5-2 advantage.

But Valdosta State answered back with a massive four-run third inning, including a grand slam by Saylor McNearney, to pull ahead 6-5. The Choctaws briefly regained the lead in the fourth when Mathei hit her second home run of the day, a solo shot to left center, making it 7-6.

However, Valdosta State's offense exploded in the following innings. The Blazers capitalized on several Mississippi College errors and added five runs in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh to seal the 12-7 victory.

Megan Matheis had an exceptional day at the plate, finishing Game 1 with a home run and an RBI, and following that up with another home run and two RBIs in Game 2. Her consistent hitting was one of the highlights of the day for the Choctaws.

Blakely Gill also had a solid performance in Game 1, scoring a run and contributing a stolen base. She stayed active on the bases in Game 2, where she doubled and drove in a run.

Brookelyn Cannon, who homered in the first game, was also one of the key contributors, providing solid offense despite the losses.

Mississippi College will look to bounce back tomorrow, with Game 3 set for 11 a.m. CST.