RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. --- The Mississippi College baseball team mounted a late comeback but fell short in a 7-6 loss to Arkansas Tech University on Tuesday, April 1 at Baswell Field. MC moves to 22-13 on the season while the Wonder Boys improve to 18-15.
 
The Choctaws tallied 11 hits and clawed back from an early deficit, scoring twice in the ninth inning to put the pressure on the Green and Gold. However, Arkansas Tech's bullpen, led by closer JT Cafferty, secured the win and his fourth save of the season.
 
ATU jumped ahead early, scoring five runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on key hits from Luke Ray and Cole Dawson, taking a 6-0 lead. MC responded in the sixth, with Jackson Williford, Alex Johnson, and Jordan Evans driving in runs to trim the deficit to 6-4.
 
Evans paced the Choctaw offense going 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI. Bryce LaRocca garnered a multiple-RBI effort, driving in two runs. Bryce Capobianco and Jackson Williford joined Evans with multi-hit performances, recording two hits each.
 
The Blue and Gold's ninth-inning rally began with a LaRocca RBI single and continued as Evans scored on a fielder's choice, bringing the Choctaws within one with two outs. However, Cafferty induced a groundout to end the threat and seal the outcome.
 
MC's Jimmy Wilson (0-2) took the loss after allowing one earned run over 2.1 innings. The Choctaws' bullpen stabilized the game, with Jack Bell and Coby Gollott throwing two scoreless innings combined.
 
The Wonder Boys were paced by Kirby Jenkins, who homered in the second inning, and Brendyn Bard, who had three hits. Starter Cole Dickson (2-1) earned the win, striking out three over five innings.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Friday, April 4 as it hosts Christian Brothers University in the first of a three-game, Gulf South Conference series. First pitch is 5 p.m.