MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Mississippi College split its Gulf South Conference softball doubleheader with No. 5 Auburn Montgomery on Friday at the AUM Softball Complex.

The Choctaws (11-9-1, 4-3 GSC) dropped the opener 7-0 before bouncing back to earn a split with the Warhawks (16-3, 4-3 GSC). Game three of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. in Montgomery.

In the first game, AUM used a strong middle innings surge to secure a 7-0 victory. The Warhawks struck first in the second inning on a two-run single from Jasmine Sneed and added two more runs in the third on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

AUM added three more runs in the fourth inning behind a triple from Chloe Baynes, an RBI double by Rebecca Komers and an RBI single from Kennedy Sevcik to push the advantage to 7-0.

Mississippi College finished with six hits but stranded eight runners on base. Ellie Fryar led the Choctaws with two hits, including a double, while Madelyn England added a double. Grace Wallis and Lydia Bethards each recorded hits, with Bethards also reaching base after being hit by a pitch.

Camryn Bailey started in the circle for MC, pitching five innings and allowing seven runs, five earned, on 10 hits. She struck out one and walked two. AK Willingham worked a scoreless inning in relief.

The Choctaws responded in the second game to earn the split and keep the series even heading into Saturday's finale.

Mississippi College and No. 5 Auburn Montgomery will conclude the three-game series Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch at the AUM Softball Complex.