TAMPA — Mississippi College came within three outs of a historic upset Sunday afternoon but fell just short as No. 1-ranked Tampa rallied late and walked off with a 9-8 victory in 10 innings in the NCAA Division II South I Region final.

The Choctaws (35-23) built an early 8-1 lead behind home runs from JT Vance and Bryce LaRocca — both of whom tied Richey Hines for second on the program's all-time single-season home run list with 16. Vance's two-run blast in the third and LaRocca's two-run shot in the fourth gave MC a lead as the offense chased Tampa starter Jayden Fletcher after just three innings.

It was the final game of a remarkable run for Mississippi College, which reached its third regional final in program history and first in the NCAA Division II era. The Choctaws' 35 wins are the third most in program history.

Beau Kirsch paced the Blue and Gold at the plate in the contest, goingin 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.

After holding Tampa scoreless in four of the first five innings, Tampa's Brandon Woodburn hit two home runs, including a solo shot in the ninth to cut the lead to 8-7. The Spartans tied it later that inning with an RBI single from Cade Russo, and in the 10th, Jake Urso delivered the walk-off single.

Caleb Peterson (6-5) was saddled with the loss, as he was one of six hurlers to see the bump for the Blue and Gold.

The Choctaws will return home with a program-defining season in the books — one that added several new chapters to the school's storied baseball history.