CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College baseball secured a 15-12 victory to open its Gulf South Conference series with Union on Friday, Feb. 27 at Frierson Field. The Choctaws (8-9, 4-3 GSC) capitalized on a strong start, scoring six runs in the first inning and achieved a season-high of 15 runs in the game.
 
A quintet of MC players registered a multiple-hit performance led by Creek Robertson, Nick Slonaker and JT Thigpen, who each added multi-RBI efforts to their ledgers during the contest. Slonaker and Robertson each drove in three runs while Thigpen tallied a pair of RBI. It marked a season-high in RBI for Slonaker. Ty Murphy also drove in two runs with a triple in the contest and reached three times via a walk.
 
MC pulled away in the seventh inning, using a five-run surge to create separation. Tyrus Williams sparked the rally with a leadoff triple, followed by Slonaker's RBI double and Robertson's run-scoring single that took advantage of a throwing error. The Choctaws finished with a season-high 13 RBI, building a cushion that held off a four-run ninth-inning push by the Bulldogs.
 
The Choctaws set the tone early as Thigpen launched a two-run homer in a six-run first inning, his second of the season, then added to the lead in the fifth behind Slonaker's two-RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Tyler Sanderson. Though Union threatened late, a key pitching change and timely defensive plays secured the win, as the Blue and Gold capitalized on Bulldog miscues and delivered in critical moments.
 
Caleb Peterson (2-2) garnered his second victory of the season, tossing five frames in the start. The right-hander struck out seven, allowed 12 hits and seven runs. Charles Peyton, Davis Wells and Dylan Cope combined for the final four innings in relief.
 
Carter Daniel (1-2) picked up the loss on the mound as he allowed seven runs – six earned - on four hits paired with five walks and five strikeouts. UU's pitching staff combined for 10 walks in the contest.
 
MC and Union conclude the series on Saturday, Feb. 28 with a doubleheader. First pitch is Noon.
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