OXFORD, Ala. — Mississippi College held off Valdosta State 3-2 in a tense elimination game Monday, May 5 at the 2025 Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament, keeping its postseason hopes alive at Choccolocco Park.
 
Behind timely hitting and strong pitching, the Choctaws (32-20) eliminated the Blazers (30-22), scoring all three of their runs in the second and third innings before relying on their bullpen to shut the door.
 
It is the first time the Choctaws have topped Valdosta State in the conference tournament in program history. The Blazers claimed the previous two meetings (1985 – Livingston, Ala.; 2019 – Oxford, Ala.)
 
Blake Gollott (5-0) delivered a gritty performance on the mound, tossing five innings and allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out six. Dylan Cope earned his first save of the season, scattering six hits and striking out three over four innings of relief.
 
The Blue and Gold took a 1-0 lead in the second when Tyler Jacobsen singled to center to bring home Logan Shurden. The Choctaws extended their lead in the third as JT Vance punched a two-run single up the middle, scoring Bryce LaRocca and Jordan Evans.
 
VSU responded with a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth, including an RBI single from Hunter Stowe and another by Pedro Moreno, but couldn't break through against the Choctaw bullpen. The Blazers stranded 12 runners on the day and were held scoreless over the final three innings.
 
Drake LaRoche (6-4) took the loss for the Red and Black, allowing three runs on four hits in three innings of work.
 
Mississippi College advances to Tuesday, May 6 to face West Alabama. First pitch is 11 a.m.