NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- Mississippi College used a late offensive surge to salvage a split with No. 11 Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday, March 21, rallying for a 9-8 win in the second game after dropping the opener 10-2 in Gulf South Conference play.
The Choctaws (17-13, 11-7 GSC) erased a four-run deficit with a power-filled comeback, highlighted by three home runs and a five-RBI performance from
Alex Johnson. Mississippi College trailed 6-2 after Trevecca's six-run fourth inning before chipping away in the fifth, when
Will Langston doubled and later scored on
Jake LaRocca's two-bagger.
Tyler Sanderson followed with a game-tying, two-run homer to even the score at 6-6.
MC carried the momentum into the sixth.
JT Thigpen reached and came around to score on Langston's RBI single, and Johnson delivered the decisive blow with his second home run of the game - a three-run shot that pushed the Choctaws in front 9-6.
Trevecca (23-8, 15-3) answered with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but Mississippi College's bullpen held firm down the stretch.
Taylor Ballard worked a scoreless ninth to secure his second save, striking out one and not allowing a base runner.
Langston paced the Choctaws with three hits, an RBI and three runs scored, while Thigpen added two hits and crossed the plate twice. Sanderson finished with a home run and two RBIs as MC capitalized on timely hitting late. Kamryn Carlise (5-1) earned the win in relief.
In the opener, Trevecca pulled away behind a pair of home runs and a three-run seventh inning to claim a 10-2 victory. Mississippi College was limited to three hits, including a double by
Ty Murphy, while
Cade Gadman and
Devon Crown accounted for the Choctaws' two RBI.
Coby Gollott (4-2) struck out 10 over five innings but was tagged with the loss.
Mississippi College returns to action Tuesday, March 24 at Henderson State. First pitch is 3 p.m.
