OXFORD, Ala. — Mississippi College's postseason run came to a close Friday afternoon as Alabama Huntsville defeated the Choctaws 5-3 at Choccolocco Park in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
UAH (36-21) used a big second inning and timely hitting to build an early lead, while Mississippi College (30-23-1) was unable to fully recover despite a late push.
The Chargers struck first in the opening inning on an RBI double from Mia Brown, but the Choctaws answered in the bottom half to tie the game at 1-1 after Ellie Fryar scored on a play at the plate.
Alabama Huntsville broke the game open in the second inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to plate three unearned runs on a bases-clearing double by Alexa Douthitt. The Chargers added another run in the third on a solo home run from Keli Madden to extend the lead to 5-2.
Mississippi College chipped away throughout the game. Fryar delivered an RBI single in the second inning, and Lydia Bethards added a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to cut the deficit to two. The Choctaws, however, were unable to complete the comeback.
Fryar led MC at the plate with two hits, while Shelby Samples and Kate Rills each added extra-base hits. In the circle, Camryn Bailey provided four innings of scoreless relief to keep the Choctaws within striking distance.
Katie Bracken earned the complete-game win for UAH, allowing three runs on seven hits.
With the loss, Mississippi College will now await its postseason fate during Monday's NCAA Selection Show.
