JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps baseball team took a big lead early and held off Edgewood College for a 5-4 victory at Twenty Field on Friday.
Fifth year
Mark Petkovsek Jr. lead the way with three hits and an RBI, while classmate
Mason Little posted a crucial three-run homer to propel the Majors.
Millsaps (8-3) also had strong contributions from junior
Wil Wood. The Memphis, Tenn., native posted eight strikeouts, while allowing two hits and two runs in 7.0 IP. Fifth year
Ryan Erwin closed out the final two innings with two hits and two runs against to down Edgewood (0-1).
Wood caught two batters looking by opening the game with two strikeouts. The Majors would then plate the first run of game in the bottom of the inning when
Avery Brock crushed the ball off the top of the wall in left center field. Petkovsek hustled from first to give Millsaps a 1-0 advantage.
Wood continued to dominate by striking out his third and fourth batters to open and close the third frame.
Chris Hart then reached on an error and Petkovsek sprinted out a bunt single to put two runners on in the third. Little then powered his first home run of the season, plating three runs with two outs and pushing the Major lead to 4-0.
The fourth inning continued with Wood fanning the first batter he faced. Millsaps would then put the first two batters on themselves with walks.
Sam Pitre and Petkovsek would both be hit by pitches consecutively with two outs to bring home the fifth run of the contest.
Wood added another strikeout swinging with two runners on in the fifth. However, the Eagles would tally their first run following a fielder's choice turned error when Brock overthrew first base.
Millsaps would threaten in the bottom of the fifth by putting the first three batters on base. Edgewood would hold to keep the Majors at bay.
The Eagles would plate another run and cut the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the seventh. An inning opening single would come home following a stolen base, ground out and wild pitch. Wood would strike out his eighth Edgewood batter to end the inning.
Erwin would enter in an attempt to close out the game in the eighth. He would force a pop out against the first batter. The next Eagle would double and be sent home with a hit up the middle, making it a 5-3 Millsaps edge. Edgewood would plate a fourth run with a walk and the bases loaded. Erwin would close the inning by forcing a fly out to end further damage.
Petkovsek would reach base yet again in the eighth, this time by a hit by pitch with two outs. He would advance to third following a stolen base and passed ball. The Eagles would shut down the opportunity with a strike out.
It would not matter as Erwin would force three flyballs to help the Majors secure the 5-4 victory.
Millsaps returns to action to challenge Eureka College on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with live video and live stats available on gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps baseball program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
