JACKSON, MS- Smokey Ethridge threw a complete game two-hit shutout and struck out 10 as the Majors took game one of a pivotal three-game series 2-0 against the #4 Birmingham Southern Panthers on Friday afternoon at Twenty Field. 

Ethridge was brilliant on Friday, as he walked nobody and allowed just two runners to reach scoring position. The senior improved to 3-2 on the season with a sterling 1.76 earned run average. 

The Majors knocked out 12 hits on Friday, but managed just the two runs as Panther ace Blake Stevens continued to work out of trouble all game long. The Majors left two runners on in each of the first three innings and 11 total in the win. 

Millsaps finally broke through in the sixth, three straight singles from Annon Etheridge, Lee Ogletree and Bryce Blackburn loaded the bases. Logan Patterson hit into a double play that scored Ethridge and what proved to be the game-winning run. They added insurance in the eight as Blackburn doubled down the left field line. Etheridge, who was running on the play, scored from first. 

The win improves Millsaps to 21-4 overall and 11-2 in the SAA. The two teams will play a double header tomorrow. Game time has been pushed back to 1PM due to the expected overnight rain and may get pushed back further. We will have updates on GoMajors.com and on Twitter @MajorAthletics.