LIVINGSTON, Ala. – It took two innings for the Mississippi College bats to heat up beginning with a grand slam by Madison Oliver in the top of the third to lead the Choctaws to 12-3 Gulf South Conference softball victory over West Alabama at the UWA Softball Complex Friday.
 
Mississippi College snaps a three game losing skid to improve to 14-9 overall and 9-6 in the GSC. West Alabama drops its fourth loss to fall to 9-15 and 3-12.
 
West Alabama took a one run lead in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Scarlett Wright that brought in Lydia North. The Tiger defense held the Choctaws scoreless until the top of the third as MC went ahead 6-3 with Oliver's homer and a two RBI single by Megan Everett.
 
The Tigers cut MC's lead down to three runs in the bottom of the third courtesy of a two run home run from Jordyn Whiddon.
 
Mississippi College commenced to scoring six runs in three of the following four frames, while the Tigers put only one runner on base in the final four innings with a single by Kristen Bittle in the bottom of the fourth.
 
MC split all eight of its hits between eight batters. Oliver ended 1-for-3 at the plate with four RBI's, while Everett and Tori Bankston each added two RBI's.
 
Lydia North led West Alabama 2-for-3 with two runs. Bittle tallied 2-for-3, while Whiddon finished 1-for-2.  
 
Carlie Sargent (10-3) opened the first four innings for the Choctaws to pick up the win in the circle. She struck out six and gave up three earned runs on five hits. Ashley Vann entered in the fifth, striking out two and not allowing a hit.
 
Alli Hall (6-11) also pitched through the first four frames, allowing eight runs on six hits.
 
The MC defense did not relinquish a single error, while West Alabama ended with three.
 
The series will continue with a doubleheader on Saturday at the UWA Softball Complex. First pitch for game one is scheduled for Noon.