CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi Christian University baseball program will be well represented this week when former Choctaw pitchers Holland Townes and Jackson "Chomp" Smith square off as opponents in a six-game Frontier League division series between the Mississippi Mud Monsters and Schaumburg Boomers at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
 
For the first time as professionals, former MC baseball standouts Townes and Smith will spend an entire week on opposite sides of the field, where they spent their college careers, representing the program that helped launch their professional careers.
 
While they never shared a dugout in college, the two relievers forged a friendship after graduation, training together throughout the offseason before landing in the Frontier League.
 
"We're both Choctaws," Townes said. "We actually trained together a lot this offseason, so we're good friends. Coming from a Division II school, it's rare to see two guys in the same professional league get to play against each other. I think that's cool."
 
Smith shares that excitement.
 
"Me and Holland trained together in the offseason, so it's been fun to watch him get signed and have a great year," Smith said. "I know it means a lot to the program at MC having two guys represent the school well and go on to play at the next level."
 
The series carries extra significance for Townes, who will make his first return home to Mississippi since finishing his collegiate career. The Madison native will pitch just minutes from where he grew up, with family, friends and former teammates expected to fill the stands throughout the week.
 
"It's about 15 or 20 minutes from my house," Townes said. "I'm excited for it. We'll have a lot of family and friends at the games, and I'll get to stay at home with my mom. It'll be really special to showcase this league in front of people who haven't really been able to see me pitch since I was at Mississippi Christian." 
 
The homecoming comes during an emotional season for Townes, whose father passed away in May. Away from the ballpark, he says simply being able to spend time with his mother is what he's looking forward to most.
 
"I haven't spent a ton of time with her since my dad passed in May," Townes said. "That'll be the main thing I'll be looking forward to."
 
For Smith, the opportunity to continue his professional career in his home state has been equally rewarding.
 
After spending previous seasons playing in Arizona and Utah, the second-year Mud Monster has enjoyed having family nearby for nearly every game.
 
"Being back here has been great," Smith said. "I'm right next to the house, and they're able to come watch a bunch of games. You get to enjoy each step along the way with your family and friends being close by."
 
Although they'll compete for six consecutive games, neither expects the friendship to change once the final out is recorded.
 
"When we went to their place, we went out and had dinner one night," Smith said. "I'm sure we'll do more of the same when they get here. It'll be fun."
 
Both pitchers also credit Mississippi Christian for preparing them to reach professional baseball.
 
Townes fondly remembers the relationships he built during the Choctaws' successful 2025 season, recalling the countless hours spent traveling, practicing and competing alongside teammates who remain close friends today.
 
Smith points to his final season in Clinton and the trust the coaching staff placed in him as defining moments in his development.
 
"The coaching staff meant a lot to me," Smith said. "They put a lot of trust in me for three years, whether it was coming out of the bullpen or making a spot start. It prepared me really well."
 
When the series begins, friendship will temporarily give way to competition.
 
Both pitchers want the same thing - for their own club to win.
 
Still, they'll be doing something few Division II teammates-turned-professionals ever experience: representing the Choctaws on opposite sides of a professional diamond.
 
And for Mississippi Christian baseball, that's a victory in itself.
 
The series begins on Tuesday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2. First pitch on Tuesday is 6:30 p.m.