MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- Mississippi College split a Gulf South Conference baseball doubleheader with Auburn University at Montgomery on Saturday, March 7 at the AUM Baseball Complex, winning the opener 9-3 before falling 7-5 in the series finale. The Choctaws (13-10, 8-4 GSC) powered the first-game victory with two home runs and a triple, but the Warhawks (5-15, 1-10) rallied with a five-run sixth inning in the nightcap to prevent a series sweep.
 
In the first game, Alex Johnson and Nick Slonaker each made an impact on the scoreboard with three-run home runs. Cade Gadman and Tyrus Williams led the way in the hit column with a pair of hits each, while Ty Murphy added the Choctaws' third extra-base hit with a triple, scored once, and drew a walk.
 
Coby Gollott delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 7.2 innings and striking out a career-high 10 batters, the first Choctaw hurler to achieve this feat since last season. Kamryn Carlisle closed the game, pitching 1.1 innings without allowing a hit and striking out two.
 
MC struck first in the second inning of the first game, with Johnson drawing a walk and scoring on a bases-loaded walk by Creek Robertson, followed by a wild pitch allowing Murphy to score, giving the Choctaws an early 2-0 lead. AUM trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth inning, but MC pulled away in the seventh with a surge that included Johnson's three-run home run. AUM responded with two unearned runs in the eighth, but the Blue and Gold sealed the victory in the ninth when Slonaker blasted a three-run homer.
 
In the second game, the Choctaws jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Creek Robertson. However, the Warhawks responded, with AUM scoring five runs in the sixth inning to take control. The inning was highlighted by two RBI from Brice Ainsworth and Kurt Kizer, who paced the squad with three hits. The Choctaws fought back in the seventh when Jake LaRocca launched a two-run homer, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Warhawks' lead.
 
Will Daniel (0-1) was tagged with the loss in the second game, surrendering four earned runs in relief, while Cooper Cooksey started and struck out seven batters. Drew Cashin (1-2) registered the win for AUM, pitching six innings and striking out eight.
 
MC returns to action on Tuesday, March 10 against Ouachita Baptist, with the first pitch at Frierson Field set for 3 p.m.
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