OXFORD, Ala. — Mississippi College rallied late but came up short, falling 6–5 to West Alabama in 11 innings on Saturday, May 3 in the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament at Choccolocco Park.
The Choctaws (31–20) erased a 1–0 deficit with three runs between the seventh and ninth innings, taking a 3–1 lead into the final frame.
Jordan Evans drove in two runs, including the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, and finished 3-for-7.
Blaise Breerwood added three hits and scored twice, while
JT Vance reached base five times and scored two runs.
West Alabama (28–22) tied the game with a three-run top of the ninth, then took the lead in the 10th before the Blue and Gold answered on a wild pitch that scored
Kelby Jordan to force an 11th inning. Nick Wilson's RBI single in the top of the 11th proved to be the difference, and the Choctaws were unable to push across the tying run in the bottom half.
The Choctaws left 18 runners stranded throughout the game, including the bases loaded twice.
Holland Townes turned in a strong start for Mississippi College, allowing one run on two hits over seven innings with six strikeouts. The Choctaw bullpen battled through traffic late, issuing nine walks overall, including the bases-loaded free pass that gave West Alabama the 5–4 lead in the 10th.
Jimmy Wilson (1–3) was tagged with the loss in relief. Laney Keeton (2–0) picked up the win for West Alabama, while Baker Green earned his first save.
Mississippi College returns to action on Sunday, May 4 as it faces the loser of the Delta State-Montevallo contest. First pitch approximately 4 p.m.
