CONROE, Texas — Mississippi College opened the final day of the 2026 DII First Pitch Invitational with an 8-3 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday. The victory capped a busy three days for the Choctaws, who played six games against a nationally ranked field in Conroe.
MC delivered a strong offensive performance, recording 10 hits, including two triples and a home run. The team also drove in four runs with two outs. The Choctaws took an early lead in the first inning, with Ellie Fryar reaching on a bunt single, advancing on a sacrifice by Morgan Lavergne, and scoring on Shelby Samples’ RBI triple. Madelyn England added a sacrifice fly to give MC a 2-0 lead.
Southeastern Oklahoma State responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the game. Mississippi College regained control in the second inning. Blakely Gill led off with a double, Megan Matheis was hit by a pitch, and Morgan Lavergne cleared the bases with a triple to right field, putting the Choctaws ahead 5-2.
Both teams remained scoreless through the middle innings as pitchers and defenses settled in. MC sealed the game in the seventh inning with a solo home run from Fryar, an RBI walk from Sarah Lee, and a run-scoring single by Maguire Miskelly. Southeastern Oklahoma State scored once in the bottom of the seventh, but the Choctaws held on for the 8-3 victory.
Camryn Bailey earned the win in the circle, allowing two earned runs on six hits over five innings with seven strikeouts. Reagan Rios pitched two innings of relief, giving up one earned run on one hit and striking out two. The team combined for nine strikeouts in the game.
Earlier Sunday, Mississippi College suffered a 7-6 loss to Texas A&M International, rallying late after trailing by five runs. The Choctaws brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh but fell short of completing the comeback.
The team demonstrated resilience throughout the weekend, facing tough competition and earning a notable victory over No. 1 UT Tyler. The weekend results set a strong foundation for the early season, according to team officials.
Mississippi College will return to play next weekend on the road, starting Thursday, Feb. 5, against Southern Wesleyan at noon. The schedule includes additional games against Embry-Riddle, Southern Wesleyan, No. 2 Tampa, and No. 20 Saint Leo.
