Mississippi College Softball Splits Opening Day in Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, Fla. — The Mississippi College softball team opened its season with a split at ERAU Softball Field, losing to Southern Wesleyan 10-0 before bouncing back with a 6-4 win over Embry-Riddle University.

In the first game, the Choctaws managed just two hits and committed four errors against Southern Wesleyan. The Warriors took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double from O. Haag. Southern Wesleyan extended its lead with a grand slam from Haag in the second inning. Shelby Samples provided a bright spot with a triple in the third, but the team could not score.

Mississippi College’s starting pitcher, Regan Rios, pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits. AK Willingham relieved her and pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits. Samples finished with two hits, including a double and a triple, and stole a base. Madelyn England drew two walks during her plate appearances.

In the second game, the Choctaws capitalized on Embry-Riddle’s four errors and hit two home runs to secure the win. Ellie Fryar led off with a single and scored on a sacrifice bunt, giving MC an early 1-0 lead. Embry-Riddle responded with two runs in the first inning, but Mississippi College regained the lead with a solo home run from B. Gill and a two-run homer from Fryar.

The Blue and Gold added an insurance run in the seventh on a pinch-hit RBI single from Hadley Lemons. Cam Bailey pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out six. Fryar and Gill each homered and drove in two runs, helping the team improve to 4-4 overall. Mississippi College is scheduled to face another opponent in Daytona Beach in their next game.

Source: Original Article