Mississippi College baseball scored a decisive sixth-inning rally to beat Delta State 10-7 on Saturday at Ferriss Field, marking the first time the Choctaws have won in Cleveland since 2018, according to team sources.
The Choctaws (27-22, 20-12 Gulf South Conference) lost the opening game of the twinbill 8-2. They responded after Delta State (27-18, 20-12 GSC) tied the game at six in the fifth inning with two unearned runs.
In the sixth, Mississippi College took control. Leadoff hitter JT Thigpen doubled, and Tyrus Williams sacrificed him home. Jake LaRocca then launched a three-run homer, giving the Choctaws a 10-7 lead. The team had capitalized early on defensive errors, with Alex Johnson hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and finishing with two RBIs and two runs scored. LaRocca added a homer, double, and four RBIs.
Starting pitcher Coby Gollott allowed five runs over four innings. Dylan Cope, who improved to 5-0, earned the win in relief, surrendering two runs over three innings with two strikeouts. Delta State was unable to mount a comeback after Mississippi College’s sixth-inning surge.
Earlier in the day, Delta State won the first game behind a seven-run fourth inning, highlighted by Henley Parker’s three-run homer. The Choctaws scored twice in the eighth but couldn’t overcome the deficit, losing 8-2. Peyton Charles pitched four strong innings in relief for MC, allowing one earned run and striking out three.
The series concludes Sunday with a game set for 1 p.m., according to team officials.
