SHERMAN, Texas – The Millsaps College baseball team traveled to Austin College for a pivotal three-game series with the 'Roos over the weekend and had a late lead in each game but dropped all three to fall into second place in the SCAC West Division.
Starting game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, the Majors jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning with two-run home runs by \#Josh Ordeneaux\# and \#Tyler Berry\# while \#Jake Mills\# added an RBI single.
Millsaps' starting pitcher \#Aaron Williams\# cruised through the first six innings of the game but ran into trouble in the seventh.
After \#Jules Roussel\# hit a sacrifice fly that scored Ordeneaux in the top of the seventh, AC rallied from a 6-0 deficit to score seven runs in the inning to claim the opening game.
Tyler Appelquist hit a walk-off three-run home run off reliever \#Boomer Hudson\# as the 'Roos won the series-opener, 7-6.
Hudson took the loss by giving up the winning run while entering the game in relief of Williams in the seventh.
Game two turned out to be a slugfest but again it was AC rallying in the bottom of the tenth to come away with the victory, 19-18 in ten innings.
The game featured 37 runs, 36 hits and 21 free passes but it was the seven errors by Millsaps, two of which came in the tenth that ultimately cost them the game.
In the contest, the Majors belted six home runs, three of which came in the eight-run fourth inning.
Berry hit two of Millsaps' six home runs, both coming in the fourth inning as he finished the game an impressive 5-for-6 with four RBIs.
In addition, Roussel became just the seventh player in SCAC history and second player for Millsaps this season to record three home runs in a single game while finishing 4-for-6 from the plate with five RBIs.
Roussel and Berry are currently tied for the team-lead in home runs this season with eight apiece, which also ranks top amongst SCAC hitters.
The Majors carried an 18-16 lead heading into the bottom of the tenth after scoring two in the top half of the inning on a Roussel's third blast of the game.
Phillip Gonzales stepped up to the plate for AC in the tenth with the bases loaded, aided by two walks, and promptly cleared the bases with a walk-off single.
\#Carson Goldsmith\# took the loss for Millsaps pitching the final 2 1/3 innings allowing three runs, all unearned and Brian Buehler earned the victory throwing the final four innings for the 'Roos.
Facing off with AC in the season-series finale on Sunday afternoon, the Majors held a 7-4 lead in the sixth but could not hold on as the 'Roos rallied for the third straight time to win, 11-9.
Millsaps took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and added one in the second before AC cut the deficit in half with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second.
Heading into the last half of the sixth behind 7-4, the 'Roos used two Majors' errors to their advantage scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to a 9-7 lead.
Mills and Berry hit RBI singles in the eighth inning but it was too little, too late as AC closed out the weekend sweep with an 11-9 win.
\#Jason Riggins\# had his best day in a Millsaps uniform going 3-for-5 from the plate with two doubles while driving in three runs and Mills also finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
Getting the loss for the Majors was \#Wes Perkins\# who lasted five innings allowing nine runs on eight hits while Scooter Merritt picked up the win pitching 5 1/3 innings in relief.
Millsaps, now 16-10 overall and 9-5 in the SCAC, is on a four-game losing streak and have lost five of its last six games.
The Majors will turn to a tough non-conference game on Tuesday night against Mississippi College at Twenty Field to right the ship. First-pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
