OXFORD, Ala. — Behind a complete-game effort from pitcher Camryn Bailey and an 11-hit offensive performance, Mississippi College opened the 2026 Gulf South Conference Softball Championship with a 4-1 victory over Montevallo on Thursday morning at Choccolocco Park.
Bailey tossed all seven innings for Mississippi College, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out eight to improve to 16-9 on the season.
Mississippi College (30-21-1) struck first in the second inning when Ashlyn Rodgers launched a solo home run to left field for a 1-0 lead.
Mississippi College added another run in the third after Mary Lem ripped an RBI double to left center that also advanced her to third on a throwing error, scoring Megan Matheis to make it 2-0.
Mississippi College continued to build its advantage in the fifth inning. Following a bunt and fielder's choice by Kate Rills, Blakely Gill crossed the plate to extend the lead to 3-0.
Mississippi College tacked on another insurance run in the sixth when Matheis delivered an RBI single through the left side, scoring Morgan Lavergne for a 4-0 cushion.
Montevallo (39-15) avoided the shutout in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Emma Hawkins, but Bailey closed the door to secure the opening-round victory.
Gill and Matheis each recorded three-hit performances to pace the Mississippi College offense, while Fryar added two hits and Lem drove in a run.
Mississippi College will return to action Thursday evening at approximately 6 p.m. when it faces the winner of the matchup between West Florida and Trevecca Nazarene at Choccolocco Park.
