CONROE, Texas — Mississippi College Softball opened the 2026 season with a split on Friday at The Scrapyard, falling 4-1 to St. Mary's (TX) before rebounding with a 3-1 victory over Texas A&M International behind a dominant pitching performance from Camryn Bailey.

Game 1: St. Mary's (TX) 4, Mississippi College 1

Mississippi College struck first against St. Mary's, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Madelyn England launched a solo home run to deep center field. The Choctaws held the Rattlers scoreless through the first four innings behind a strong start from Reagan Rios.

St. Mary's tied the game in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, then took the lead in the sixth following a triple and RBI single. The Rattlers added two more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on an infield single and a throwing error to extend the margin to 4-1. MC was unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Rios worked five innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out three. Grace Wallis pitched two innings of relief, surrendering no earned runs.

England accounted for the Choctaws' lone run with her home run, while Megan Matheis contributed off the bench with a pinch-hit single that advanced three runners.

Game 2: Mississippi College 3, Texas A&M International 1

The Blue and Gold responded in the nightcap, riding an elite outing from Camryn Bailey and a late offensive surge to secure their first win of the season.

TAMIU took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Bailey settled in quickly, using her strikeout ability to shut down any further scoring threats. Mississippi College threatened in the fourth when England tripled, but the run was left stranded.

The Choctaws broke through in the sixth as England doubled and later scored on a sacrifice by Bailey to tie the game. MC then took control in the seventh, with Kallee Nichols singling before Ellie Fryar doubled her home. Fryar later scored on a sacrifice from Samples to give the Choctaws a 3-1 advantage.

Bailey closed the door in the bottom of the seventh, finishing a complete-game effort with 11 strikeouts while allowing just three hits and one earned run. She improved to 1-0 on the season.

Offensively, Fryar went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI, Nichols collected two hits and scored a run, and England added two hits, including a double and triple.

Mississippi College concludes Opening Day with a 1-1 record as the Choctaws continue play at The Scrapyard this weekend.