Rain delays had no effect on visiting Mississippi College during the opening game of a three-game Gulf South Conference (GSC) series against Lee at Olympic Field on Sunday afternoon and evening. The start of the contest was slated for a 1 p.m., but pushed back to a 6:30 beginning when rains continued to pound the Cleveland area.
 
The Choctaws wasted no time in jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and then tacked on runs in four of the remaining six innings before run-ruling the Flames 12-1 (seven innings).
 
Not even another lengthy rain delay could slow the Choctaws and freshman pitcher Zack Ingram. He hurled seven innings of five-hit ball, striking out five and walking five Lee hitters. All totaled, Ingram threw 130 pitches in the game that lasted some four hours (due to the rain delay).
 
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Monday beginning at 11 a.m., weather permitting. Mississippi College improved to 18-22 overall and 13-14 in the GSC with Sunday's win. The Flames dropped to 24-20 and 11-17.
 
"We keep waiting for our bats to come around and maybe tomorrow will be the day," said coach Mark Brew as his club continued to struggle at the plate. "Our time is running out but I have to give Mississippi College plenty of credit. They came out ready to play today and we had no answers."
 
Lee's Rob Gustitus (4-4) started and pitched the first 3.1 innings for the Flames. He allowed seven hits, eight earned runs, struck out two and walked one. Lee was guilty of five costly errors with two beginning in the very first inning.
 
Jay Prior pitched 1.2 innings and gave up a run and a hit. Corbin Lamb followed for an inning and surrendered three hits and three earned runs. Christian Bokich hurled the final inning, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out one.
 
"The highlight of the entire evening was seeing Corbin take the mound again after being struck in the face with a batted ball some three weeks ago," said coach Brew. "He showed a lot of courage and really wanted to pitch again for his team."
 
The Choctaws 12-hit attack was paced by Kyle Smith and Hunter Austin, both with three hits apiece. Smith scored four runs and Austin batted in three while scoring once. Blaine Crim posted a pair of hits and drove in four his team's 12 runs. Hunter Wilson hit safely twice and crossed the dish two times.
 
Drew Johnson was the only Flame with more than one hit. He had a single and a double and drove home Lee's only run. Geremy Walton, Nate Wierzgac and Spencer Mossburg also hit safely in the loss. Wierzgac tallied Lee's only run and it came in the bottom of the first inning.