JACKSON – The Millsaps Majors Softball Team returned home on Friday afternoon as they welcomed in the William Woods Owls from NAIA. Despite great starting performances from sophomore Laurel Jones and junior Emily Collins and great relief efforts from sophomores Katie Birdwell and Molly Tyner, the Owls were able to leave Jackson with two wins 3-2 (9 inn.) and 4-2.
 
Neither team did anything on both starting pitchers in Game One through three innings. Jones was terrific as she struck out three and only gave up one hit. However, the Owls struck in fourth inning, as they seemed to find every hole to take a 2-0 lead. Jones continued to settle in and mow down the Owls.
 
Millsaps responded in the bottom of fifth as senior Jade Hewitt led things off with a one out single and sophomore Caroline Thompson walked. After sophomore Abbie Joiner reached on a fielder's choice, junior Megan Yglesias came through with a single that just scooted by the infield to cut the deficit in half. Senior Allison Tarbox tied the game up with a RBI single up the middle.
 
The game then turned into a pitcher's duel as Jones continued to pitch exceptionally well. After six strong innings from William Woods' Kelsey Schulte, MacKenzie Bowden entered the game and continued the strong pitching for the Owls.
 
Neither team could get a run in the next two innings and the game went into extras as each team starts the inning with a runner on second. With a runner on third in the bottom eighth, the Majors thought they had the win when freshman Karen McWilliams ripped a ball to center, but a good jump from Schulte propelled her to make the shoelace catch and keep the game going. The Owls got a run in the ninth and held on for the win.
 
Jones pitched nine innings, giving up two earned runs off eight hits and striking out six. Hewitt led the way offensively, going 2-for-4.
 
In Game Two, Major errors proved to be costly in the first three innings as William Woods jumped out to a 4-0 lead despite Collins pitching well. Millsaps had a chance to get back into it in the fourth as they loaded the bases up with no outs, but a double play put a damper on the inning. Hewitt did come through with a RBI following the double play, but it was all Millsaps could get.
 
Yglesias tried to spark a seventh inning comeback as she belted a solo shot to left-center; however, the Owls took the win at the end of the day.
 
Collins gave up two earned runs while striking out four in the circle. Birdwell and Tyner combined to go four innings while only giving up one hit and striking out three. Collins helped her cause going 3-for-3 at the plate and Birdwell added a 2-for-3 day.
 
The Majors fall to 5-11 on the season and are back in action on Sunday as they welcome in the Huntingdon Hawks for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.