CONROE, Texas — Mississippi College Choctaws turned in a confident, complete performance Saturday night, earning a 7–4 win over No. 1-ranked and defending national champion UT Tyler Patriots on day two of the DII First Pitch Invitational.

Mississippi College combined timely power at the plate with steady pitching and sound defense to secure the victory over the nation's top-ranked program.

UT Tyler struck first with a run in the opening inning, but the Choctaws answered decisively in the fourth. Blakely Gill drew a walk before Megan Matheis launched a two-run home run to center field to give MC the lead. Ellie Fryar followed with a triple and scored on an RBI single by Morgan Lavergne, capping a four-run inning and putting Mississippi College ahead 4–1.

The Patriots tied the game in the fifth with three unearned runs, but the Blue and Gold responded immediately. Bella Myers broke the tie in the sixth inning with a solo home run to center field, and Mississippi College added insurance in the seventh. Shelby Samples singled and Madelyn England doubled before Gill lined a two-RBI double down the right-field line to extend the lead to 7–4.

Camryn Bailey delivered a complete-game effort in the circle, earning the win and improving to 2–0 on the season. Bailey allowed six hits and four runs, three earned, while striking out five batters over seven innings.

Lavergne paced the Choctaws offensively with three hits and an RBI. Gill and Matheis each drove in two runs, as Mississippi College finished the game with 11 hits.

Earlier in the day, the Choctaws fell 5–0 to No. 13 Angelo State Rambelles in the tournament opener. A.K. Willingham started in the circle, while Reagan Rios provided five strong innings of relief, striking out five batters. Mississippi College was limited to one hit in the contest.

The Choctaws continue play Sunday with matchups against Southeastern Oklahoma State and Texas A&M International to close the opening weekend in Conroe.