JACKSON, Miss. - Behind a complete-game effort from senior Aaron Williams, the Millsaps Majors clinched a spot in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament in Millington, Tenn., with a 4-3 win over Southwestern.
Williams (W, 6-2) pitched all nine innings, throwing 107 pitches and giving up three earned runs off eight hits while striking out four as he kept Millsaps in the game after falling behind early.
Southwestern got things rolling in the top of the second when Cray Betts belted a two out, two RBI-single to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
The Pirates added to their lead in the top of the fifth, again with two outs, off an RBI-single from Johnny Gavrel to go up 3-0.
The Majors slowly clawed their way back into the game, earning a run back in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore Wes Perkins tallied home senior Jeremy Aliff on a sacrifice fly.
Millsaps pulled the game within one in the bottom of the seventh when senior Will Hawkins grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring junior Drew Leonard.
Williams came out and put the Pirates down in order in the top of the eighth to swing the momentum in the Majors' favor going into the bottom half.
After a walk by senior Josh Ordeneaux, a sacrifice bunt by Perkins and infield single by freshman Kevin Wall, Leonard placed a bunt down the first base line that the Pirates misplayed for an error to tie the game at three.
Junior Ryan Zemke put the Majors ahead with a deep sacrifice fly that scored Wall.
In the ninth, Southwestern loaded the bases with one out, but Williams ended the game forcing a ground ball double play to punch the Majors' ticket into postseason play.
Perkins led the way offensively, going 1-for-1 with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice bunt. Wall added a 2-for-4 day while scoring a run. Zemke and Hawkins each added an RBI
For the Pirates, Betts led all batters with a 2-for-4 day and two RBIs. Starting pitcher Chris Churchwell (L, 4-5) pitched eight innings, while throwing 159 pitches and giving up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out three.
With the win, the Majors improved to 23-16 on the year and 10-9 in the SCAC while Southwestern fell to 17-19 and 8-11 in the SCAC, eliminating them from postseason play.
The two will conclude their regular seasons tomorrow with Game 2 scheduled at 1 p.m. With a Millsaps win or a Hendrix loss to Austin College, the Majors will clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Division. The game will be broadcasted live on ATWsportscast.com with James Hill on the call.
