SAINT LEO, Fla. – Mississippi College came up just short in a 1-0 loss to Saint Leo Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the NCAA Division II South Regional at Mary Cannon Cabot Field.

The Choctaws (36-18) were held to three hits by Lions starter Tori Hocquard (15-5), who tossed a complete-game shutout with four strikeouts and just one walk.

Saint Leo (39-12) scored the game's only run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Alyssa Barber launched a solo home run to left-center field.

Shelby Samples, Ashley Lightcap and Bella Myers each recorded singles for MC, but the Choctaws were unable to push a run across despite getting the leadoff batter aboard in the seventh inning.

Madison Jenkins (15-6) took the tough-luck loss, surrendering three hits and one run over three innings. Camryn Bailey came on in relief and kept the Lions off the board across three scoreless innings, striking out one and allowing no hits.

Mississippi College will play an elimination game Friday at 2 p.m. CT against the loser of West Florida and Auburn Montgomery.