CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College baseball team opened the 2020 season taking a Saturday twinbill from Harding University at Frierson Field at Dickins-Scoper Stadium. The Choctaws took game one 6-1 before using a five-run, fifth inning to stake claim in the night cap.
 
Five different Choctaws recorded multiple-hit efforts in the double-dip headlined by newcomer Markarius Lee going 2-for-5 in the opener and 2-for-4 in the second contest. Ken Scott and Casey Page each recorded multiple hits in the first game of the day while Grant Barber and Caleb Reese added multiple hits in the second.
 
A pair of newcomers also recorded their first win on the mound for the Navy and Gold. Game one starter, David Dunn, went five-scoreless innings allowing five hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout. Luke Files followed with a five, shutout innings as he allowed two hits with two punch-outs.
 
Mississippi College and Harding close out the three-game series on Sunday, Feb. 2. First pitch in Clinton is slated for 1 p.m.
 
GAME 1: Mississippi College 6 | Harding 1
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
LOCATION: Clinton, Miss. | Frierson Field
RECORDS: Choctaws 1-0 | Bisons 0-1
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
>> The Choctaws capitalized on Harding errors as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead through the first three innings. George Farid placed the Navy and Gold up 4-0 in the fifth as he singled up the middle to score Scott.
>> After HU plated its only run of the game in the sixth, MC regained the four-run lead in the seventh as Farid scored on a Chauncey Callier sacrifice fly to left field. The Choctaws added their final run of the game in the eighth as Barber singled to right to plate Page.
 
ON THE MOUND
>> Hayden Harrell tossed a third of an inning allowing the lone Bisons' run along with two hits and a walk.
>> Bryce Lewis tossed 2.2, scoreless frames as he allowed two hits along with a walk and a strikeout.
>> Austin Chastang finished the contest on the bump with a scoreless inning and a strikeout.
 
GAME 2: Mississippi College 6 | Harding 2
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
LOCATION: Clinton, Miss. | Frierson Field
RECORDS: Choctaws 2-0 | Bisons 0-2
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
>> For the second straight game, the Choctaws scored in the bottom of the second, this time Farid scored on a Brandon Broussard sac fly to left field.
>> After Barber singled in the fifth and Lee scored on a fielding error from first base, Reese delivered a three-run home run in the frame to push the MC lead to 5-0. Callier followed with a solo home run to extend the lead to 6-0.
>> Luke Van Dover posted the only two runs in the game for the Black and Gold with a two-run dinger in the sixth.
 
ON THE MOUND
>> Dustan Dille pitched one frame as he surrendered both HU runs on two hits with a walk.
>> Chastang closed out the contest as he allowed one hit in the final frame along with a walk and strikeout.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
>> Nine different players made the Mississippi College debuts in the two games, including eight in the season opener. Files made his debut in the start on the mound in Game 2.
>> Mississippi College ran its win streak in the series with Harding to 8-0. Head coach Jeremy Haworth is now 15-8 against the Bisons all-time.
>> The Choctaws recorded 10 hits in the opening contest. The last time that happened was May 3, 2019 in the Gulf South Conference Tournament against West Georgia.