ALBERTVILLE, Ala. — Mississippi College wrapped up its final tune-up weekend before Gulf South Conference play with a pair of impressive victories on Sunday, sweeping Young Harris College (4-0) and Georgia Southwestern (7-1) to finish the weekend with a 4-1 record.
The Lady Choctaws (6-4) showcased strong pitching and timely hitting throughout the day, outscoring their opponents 11-1 in the two games. This successful conclusion to their pre-conference stretch included four straight wins, as MC completed doubleheader sweeps on both Saturday and Sunday.
In the first game against Young Harris, Madison Jenkins (2-1) threw a dominant complete-game shutout, allowing just six hits and striking out eight. The Lady Choctaws provided Jenkins with early support, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI groundout by Megan Matheis and a second run scoring on an error.
By the second inning, MC extended its lead to 3-0, with Bella Myers driving in a run and Blakely Gill adding another RBI. A fifth-inning single from Gill secured the final run, giving MC a 4-0 victory. Jenkins controlled the game throughout, keeping the Young Harris offense at bay and sealing the win.
The second game against Georgia Southwestern saw MC's offense erupt for six runs in the second inning. The Lady Choctaws capitalized on a series of errors, wild pitches, and timely hits. Madelyn England's two-run single highlighted the rally, and Shelby Samples later crossed the plate on an error, putting MC ahead 6-0.
Georgia Southwestern got on the board in the third, but that would be the only run they managed. The Lady Choctaws added one more in the fourth on a sacrifice by Caylee Bailey, making it 7-1.
Camryn Bailey (3-2) delivered a stellar performance in the circle, going the distance and allowing just two hits and one earned run. Bailey struck out six batters while walking three, shutting down Georgia Southwestern's lineup to seal the win.
These two victories provided the perfect lead-in to Gulf South Conference play, with MC finishing its final non-conference games on a high note. The Lady Choctaws will now shift their focus to their home opener on Saturday, as they host West Alabama at the MC Softball Complex for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
