Jackson, MS - The Millsaps Softball Team began practice earlier this month, as Opening Day is set for next weekend.

In Head Softball Coach Erin Clary's first year, the Majors will open their season at home with a matchup against Louisiana College. As the team makes the final push to Opening Day, a reoccurring theme continues to increase excitement and enthusiasm for Millsaps Softball.

"Everything is brand new," Head Softball Coach Erin Clary said. "The field, the excitement, and the energy level, it's all new and elevating the program, it's definitely felt across the board."

In her first season at Millsaps, Coach Clary takes over a team that returns several upperclassmen and key leaders from last year. Two seniors and eight juniors highlight a team that returns every player from 2015 including four All-Conference selections, but Coach Clary is focused on the team effort it will take to be successful this season.

"It's definitely going to take a collective team effort," Coach Clary said. "We have a lot of girls that bring a couple of different things to the table."

There are a few new faces to the team this season, as the Majors welcome two freshmen and a few transfers to the program. Regardless of age or previous high school/college, the Majors will gain new leadership through team captains, something that Coach Clary has implemented in her first season here at Millsaps.

"As far as leaders, we did do something new this year with letting the girls select team captains," Coach Clary said. "We have our two seniors as captains and a junior as well. Overall, I think the three of them have worked well together and stepped up with the new role. Two play in the infield and one in the outfield so I think it's a good dynamic."

The Majors not only have the new season to look forward to, but also a new field, press box and all around game day atmosphere.

"The team could not be more excited about the field," Coach Clary said. "They're on another level with it, as we're practicing everyday we can see the changes happening. We were at practice when the new scoreboard was put up, everyone is coming in saying they can't wait to start."

The renovations to the Millsaps Softball Field have the players and coaches excited to start the new season, which features a number of tough conference opponents.

"On Saturday we're having our goals meeting as a team," Coach Clary said. "They're going to set goals for themselves and where they want to be as far as conference play goes.

"I've always gotten a good impression of what we're capable of and what their goals are. Conference play is going to be huge for us, last year finishing under .500, but I think our potential is much more than that. Berry, Birmingham Southern, I know those are huge games for us - those big games are probably going to be on our goals sheet."

The Majors begin the season with six straight home games before traveling to Clinton, Mississippi to face Mississippi College and Montgomery, Alabama to face Auburn Montgomery. From there, they travel to Clermont, Florida for Spring Break play before beginning conference play on the road against Hendrix.

The Majors open conference home play with a pair of games against Birmingham Southern the following weekend. Millsaps will host BSC, Centre and Berry this year while traveling to Rhodes and Sewanee for conference play.

Coach Clary becomes the third Head Softball Coach in Millsaps history after a successful pair of seasons coaching at Harford Community College in Maryland. She also has the benefit of Millsaps alum and former player Caroline Thompson as her assistant coach. Thompson recently finished a successful playing career at Millsaps where she excelled as a four-year starter for the Majors.

Currently, the Majors are in the finals stages of preparation for the season, which has everyone excited and ready to go for Opening Day.

"Our enthusiasm and energy levels have been through the roof for every single practice," Coach Clary said. "I'm looking forward to seeing that transfer over to the field next Saturday, I'm excited and I know all the girls are too."

The Millsaps Softball Team begins regular season play with a home matchup next weekend against Louisiana College. First pitch against the Wildcats is set for noon on Saturday, Feb. 6th.