MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mississippi College came up short on the road Tuesday afternoon, falling 6-5 to Southern Arkansas in nonconference action at Walker Stadium.

The Choctaws (26-17) mounted a late rally in the ninth inning, pushing across three runs to cut the deficit to one, but their comeback effort fell just short as the Muleriders (27-15) held on for the win.

MC opened the scoring in the third with a ground-rule double by Korey Cooper that brought home Jordan Evans. Southern Arkansas responded with a run in the fourth and then added another in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. The Muleriders extended their advantage with a four-run sixth, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Jayden Hill.

Evans added a sacrifice fly in the seventh to bring home Beau Kirsch, while the Choctaws made things interesting in the ninth. RBI singles by Bryce LaRocca, Cooper, and JT Vance brought MC within a run, but the Muleriders turned to closer Austin Adair, who shut the door for his sixth save of the season.

Cooper led the Choctaws at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. LaRocca also collected two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run. On the mound, Dylan Cope (2-1) took the loss after allowing three runs in 1.1 innings of relief. Taylor Ballard started and allowed just one run on three hits across four innings.

Mississippi College returns to action this weekend for a three-game Gulf South Conference series against West Florida in Pensacola. Game one is set for Friday at 5 p.m. in Pensacola, Florida.