The NCAA baseball regionals delivered high-stakes drama and intense action over the weekend, as four Gulf South and southern small college programs — Mississippi College, Millsaps, West Florida, and Delta State — fought to extend their seasons. From upsets to heartbreakers, here’s how the local teams fared:
Mississippi College Choctaws (DII South Regional – Tampa, FL)
Mississippi College came into the South Regional as a No. 4 seed and quickly proved they belonged, opening with two huge wins before falling in back-to-back heartbreakers to regional host and No. 1 seed Tampa.
Game 1: Mississippi College 13, Lynn 9
The Choctaws kicked off the regional with a slugfest win over Lynn. Clutch hitting and an explosive six-run 7th inning put the game away. Outfielder Blake LaRocca and Catcher Tyler Jacobsen led the way with 3 RBIs, while pitcher Kyle Collett relieved starter Holland Townes and battled through five innings.
Game 2: Mississippi College 13, Tampa 5
One of the biggest wins in recent program history. MC stunned powerhouse Tampa with a barrage of offense. Blake LaRocca smashed a 3-run homer, and added four hits as the Choctaws shocked the top seed and moved to the driver’s seat.
Game 3: Tampa 12, Mississippi College 2
Facing a rematch, Tampa came out with vengeance, jumping out early and cruising to a mercy-rule victory in seven innings. The Choctaws struggled at the plate, managing just four hits.
Game 4: Tampa 9, Mississippi College 8
In a win-or-go-home thriller, the Choctaws led 7–6 entering the bottom of the 8th, but Tampa rallied with a go-ahead 3-run homer. A late MC rally came up just short, ending an unforgettable run one win shy of the Super Regionals.
Mississippi College exceeded expectations with two big wins, including a dominant upset of Tampa. The Choctaws’ offense showed regional-level firepower, and their tournament run was among the program’s best in recent history.
Delta State Statesmen (DII South Regional – Lakeland, FL)
Delta State, the regular season GSC champion, couldn’t quite put together a run in regional play despite a solid effort.
Game 1: West Florida 7, Delta State 3
DSU got off to a slow start, giving up three runs in the first and never fully recovering. Centerfielder Wes Warnock had a two-run double, but UWF controlled the pace.
Game 2 (Elimination Game): Delta State 6, West Alabama 5
The Statesmen fought back in a tense elimination matchup. Third Baseman Dylan Coleman brought the game within one run with 2 RBI in the 9th, and catcher Tyler Janos walked it off in the 9th..
Game 3: Florida Southern 16, Delta State 7
Delta State ran into a buzzsaw. Florida Southern erupted for 10 runs in the middle innings. Despite two hits and five RBI from outfielder Preston Soper, the Statesmen couldn’t keep pace.
A bittersweet ending for a DSU team that led the GSC in the regular season. The Statesmen showed flashes, but defensive lapses and inconsistent bullpen work proved costly.
West Florida Argonauts (DII South Regional – Lakeland, FL)
The Argos were the class of the South Regional in Lakeland, going undefeated and punching their ticket to the Super Regionals with clutch hitting and a deep pitching staff.
Game 1: West Florida 7, Delta State 3
Starter Jacob Heath tossed 6 strong innings and UWF strung together two multi-run innings to hold off their GSC rival. Second Baseman Tanner Taylor led the team with 3 RBI.
Game 2: West Florida 11, Florida Southern 6
The Argos racked up 14 hits and never trailed. Outfielder Dean Hotz went 3-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBIs, and the bullpen shut down the Mocs’ late push. Center Fielder Jadon Fryman, also had a homer to lift the Argos.
Game 3 (Championship): West Florida 8, Florida Southern 3
West Florida clinched the regional title in convincing fashion. Kade Manderscheid and Grant Adams pitched and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, third baseman Ben Maskin and Catcher Brett Rowell led the offense with 2 RBI each. UWF moves on and will travel to Tampa to take on the Tampa Spartans in the D2 Super Regionals this weekend in a Best of 3 series.
Millsaps College Majors (DIII Marshall Regional – Marshall, TX)
SAA Champion Millsaps entered the NCAA DIII Regionals with momentum and a strong resume but ran into tough arms and clutch hitting in two losses, one a blowout and another one in extra innnings.
Game 1: East Texas Baptist 11, Millsaps 4
Millsaps took an early 3–1 lead behind Right Fielder Bradley Pelle’s RBI double, but ETBU responded with a six-run fifth inning. Defensive miscues and bullpen struggles proved costly as the Majors fell behind and couldn’t recover.
Game 2 (Elimination Game): Huntingdon 6, Millsaps 3 (10 innings)
In a tight elimination battle, Millsaps and Huntingdon were deadlocked 2–2 after nine innings. Will Wood pitched brilliantly into the 8th, but a walk-off three-run shot in extras sealed the Majors’ fate. Outfielder Jackson Ware went 2-for-4 with an two RBI in his final college game.
Mississippi College turned heads with a near-miraculous run in the Tampa bracket. Millsaps battled in their first regional since 2013. West Florida remains the Gulf South’s postseason torchbearer as they head to Super Regionals. Delta State, though eliminated, ends a strong year with a GSC regular-season crown.
🏆 Magnolia Coast Sports will continue coverage of West Florida’s Super Regional journey — and the offseason outlook for all four programs — in the coming weeks.
About The Author
