Livingston, Ala. — Mississippi College’s baseball team was defeated by West Alabama, 2-1, on Saturday. The Choctaws, now 4-7 overall and 0-3 in Gulf South Conference play, managed just four hits in the game.
West Alabama scored two runs in the first three innings and held on for the win. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead after Hayes Alford singled in the third inning, driving in Hudson Washburn. Alford contributed to both of the Tigers’ runs; he scored on a double by Wayne Wilkerson that started the scoring and later scored himself in the third.
Mississippi College responded in the sixth inning. Nick Slonaker doubled to left field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by JT Thigpen. Slonaker then scored on a sacrifice fly by Will Langston, narrowing the margin to 2-1. The Choctaws threatened again in the ninth, loading the bases, but West Alabama’s pitching held firm. Carter Wells drew a walk to load the bases with no outs, but the Tigers recorded a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.
Coby Gollott took the loss, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with three walks and striking out a season-high seven batters. Will Daniel pitched the final inning, giving up one hit and striking out two. Blake Westry earned the win for West Alabama, going five innings and allowing just one hit with two strikeouts. Tyler Pierce earned his first save of the season, pitching the final two-thirds of an inning with a strikeout and a walk.
Mississippi College is scheduled to return to action Tuesday, Feb. 17, hosting Henderson State in non-conference play at 2 p.m.
