CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College battled throughout a three-game Gulf South Conference series but ultimately dropped the series to Alabama Huntsville during a weekend that also celebrated 40 years of Choctaw softball at the MC Softball Complex.
The Choctaws (25-16-1) opened the series Friday with a 7-6 loss despite building an early advantage. Mississippi College scored twice in the first inning on RBI efforts from Blakely Gill and Megan Matheis, then extended the lead to 4-0 in the third behind run-scoring doubles from Shelby Samples and Matheis.
UAH answered with a four-run fourth inning, powered by a pair of home runs, before adding three more in the fifth to take control. The Choctaws rallied late, including an RBI double from Mary Lem in the sixth, but could not complete the comeback.
Mississippi College responded in Game 2 with a dominant 7-0 victory to even the series.
Reagan Rios tossed a complete-game two-hitter, striking out four and keeping the Chargers off the scoreboard. The Choctaws broke the game open with a four-run third inning, highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Gill and an RBI single from Matheis. Ellie Fryar added two hits and scored twice in the win.
In Saturday's rubber match, Alabama Huntsville secured the series with a 6-4 win. The Chargers jumped out to an early lead before Mississippi College surged back with four runs in the sixth inning to tie the game. Key RBI efforts from Mary Lem, Hadley Lemons, and Kate Rills fueled the rally.
However, UAH responded with three runs in the seventh to reclaim the lead and seal the series victory. Gill led MC offensively with three hits, while Matheis added two.
Beyond the action on the field, the weekend served as a milestone celebration for Mississippi College softball, as alumni from across four decades returned to campus.
Saturday's festivities highlighted 40 seasons of Choctaw softball, honoring the players who helped build the program into a consistent winner with more than 1,000 victories. Alumni gathered at the complex to reconnect and celebrate the legacy they helped establish—one that continues to grow today.
Friday also featured a special recognition of the 2016 Mississippi College softball team that captured the NCCAA National Championship, the first women's national title in school history.
The Choctaws finished that season with a program-record 39 wins and went undefeated in tournament play. Mississippi College defeated Oakland City, Southern Wesleyan, Emmanuel, and Judson before earning a 3-0 win over Belhaven in the national championship game.
Members of the team were honored on the field, including Carlie Sargent, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors after throwing a complete-game shutout in the title game. Sargent returned to Clinton to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
The weekend also featured a ceremonial first pitch from Tracey Brewer, the first pitcher in program history, who recorded 69 career wins and helped lay the foundation for the program's success.
While the Choctaws came up short in the series, the weekend reflected the strength and tradition of Mississippi College softball — celebrating its past while continuing to build toward the future.
Mississippi College returns to action next weekend at home against No. 15 West Florida in a three-game Gulf South Conference series beginning Friday.
