CLINTON — The Mississippi College baseball team already has a hosting gig for the American Southwest Conference playoffs.

But three Choctaws — and Miss-Lou products — are out to make sure the team gets more.

Former Vidalia pitcher Brett Hinson, Cathedral third baseman Charlie Lane and Franklin County pitcher Dan Griffin are looking to help the Choctaws sew up first place in the conference with a series win at the University of Texas at Tyler this weekend.

“If we beat them two out of three, then we’ll host the conference tournament,” Hinson said. “And we’ll be first in the conference. Plus our former third baseman transferred to Tyler, so it could get a little tense.”

Right now the Choctaws are second in the conference, thanks in part to a former Viking.

Hinson is considered Mississippi College’s “Friday Night Guy,” the ace, with a 3.29 ERA and a team-leading 76 strikeouts this season.

The senior has a 7-2 record in 11 appearances, including 10 starts, and opponents have a .234 batting average against the right-hander.

“He’s definitely kind of carrying the load this year,” coach Brian Owens said. “He’s throwing a lot of strikes, he’s challenging hitters, and he’s doing really well.”

Hinson threw mostly in relief last season, recording a 4.28 ERA in his first year with the Choctaws after playing for Mississippi Delta Community College. He was four-time All-Concordia Parish, all-district and all-metro with the Vikings.

“I’m where I want to be, pitching on Friday nights,” Hinson said. “Last year I didn’t feel like (Owens) had much trust in me. This year it feels good. He’s letting me get the ball and trusting me to do my job.”

Lane, a junior, got some starts at third base when the starting third baseman was injured, and Hinson said for a few weeks his Vidalia-native friend had the highest batting average on the team.

The former Cathedral and Mississippi Delta player is back in the backup role now, but Owens said he will get the starting spot next year.

“With Charlie coming into a new program and us being so deep, having so many options, he caught himself in the mix-up of having a, senior in front of him at third base,” Owens said. “He’s going to get more playing time. He’s just got to continue to work hard and keep producing. Charlie has got all the potential in the world.”

Griffin has had two relief appearances for the Choctaws in his sophomore season.

Owens said progress has been made with the former Franklin County player.

“He’s actually throwing side-arm now, and we’ve been doing that with him for a couple years, trying to get that perfected,” Owens said. “Dann is a pleasure to be around. He doesn’t really poke out his lip with he’s not the one pitching. He just goes out and gets behind the team.”

The Choctaws will start the series with Tyler at 6 p.m. Friday, with a doubleheader to start Saturday at 1 p.m.