CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College completed a three-game Gulf South Conference softball sweep of Lee over the weekend at the MC Softball Complex, taking a 2-1 victory in Friday's opener, rallying for a 10-6 win in game two, and finishing the series with a 5-2 triumph on Saturday.
The Choctaws improved to 15-10-1 overall and 8-4 in conference play while extending their winning streak to three games.
Mississippi College opened the series with a tight 2-1 win Friday afternoon. Lee scored the game's first run in the fourth inning, but the Choctaws responded in the sixth when Hadley Lemons delivered a two-RBI single that scored Sarah Lee and Kallee Nichols to give MC the lead. Reagan Rios went the distance in the circle, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out five to earn the win.
The Choctaws' offense erupted in the second game Friday evening, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Lee 10-6. Trailing 3-0 in the third inning, Mississippi College plated five runs in the frame to take control. Megan Matheis drove in a run with a single before Madelyn England delivered a two-RBI double to tie the game. MC added additional runs on a Lee error and a Lydia Bethards RBI single to cap the rally. Blakely Gill highlighted the offense with a three-run home run in the fifth inning, helping the Choctaws pull away. Camryn Bailey earned the win after pitching five innings, while A.K. Willingham closed out the game in relief.
Mississippi College secured the series sweep Saturday with a 5-2 victory. Lee jumped ahead with two runs in the first inning, but the Choctaws answered in the second with a four-run inning. Ashlyn Rodgers started the rally with an RBI double, followed by RBI hits from Gill, Shelby Samples and Matheis to give MC a 4-2 lead. The Choctaws added an insurance run in the third after Bella Myers' groundout allowed Sarah Lee to score on an error. Rios again delivered a strong performance in the circle, tossing a complete game and limiting Lee to just two hits while striking out three.
Mississippi College totaled 36 hits across the three games, led by Matheis, England, Gill and Samples, as the Choctaws controlled the series both offensively and in the circle.
The Choctaws return to action Tuesday when they host Arkansas-Monticello in a non-conference doubleheader at the MC Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., with game two set for 5 p.m.