LONGVIEW, Texas – The 2022 season is underway and the Millsaps baseball program are already in the win column thanks to a split at LeTourneau on Saturday. Millsaps won convincingly by a count of 6-1 in game one and nearly pulled off a comeback in a narrow 8-7 defeat in game two at Conrad-Vernon Field.
Game 1 (6-1 | 7 Innings)
Junior
Wil Wood was in midseason form throwing four scoreless innings and four strikeouts against three hits.
Graham Harrison and
Jackson Russo (two strikeouts) shut the door in the final three innings, allowing just one run.
Sam Pitre finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while
Chris Hart,
Mark Petkovsek Jr. and
Bradley Pelle finished with a pair of hits.
Millsaps scored all six of its runs in the first three innings to jump on the Yellowjackets early. Petkovsek got the scoring started with an RBI single in the first inning to score Pitre.
The Majors would plate three runs in the second frame beginning with a Pitre triple, scoring
David Abbadessa and
Sam Suggs.
Avery Brock then found a hole down the left field line to score Pitre.
Millsaps wasn't done as a pair of doubles netted two final runs. Abbadessa scored Pelle before
Chris Hart sent home Abbadessa. Wood, Harrison and Russo would maintain the six-run cushion during LeTourneau's final five innings at the plate.
Game 2 (7-8 | 9 innings)
Snow flurries were a common sight in Texas this week, but scoring flurries characterized the action in game two on Saturday. After falling behind 7-0 through the first four innings, the Majors' bats and relief efforts came alive.
Carter Jones,
Nick Tarantino and
Kaden Slocum combined for one earned run and eight strikeouts in the final five innings of action. Pelle finished with two hits and two RBIs in his second collegiate outing.
Millsaps clawed back with three runs in the fifth all courtesy of fielding mistakes. Pelle reached home on an error by the left fielder,
Jackson Ware scored off a wild pitch and freshman
Austin Arceneaux made it a 7-3 game thanks to an error by the Yellowjacket first baseman.
LeTourneau would add a vital insurance run in the sixth after a walk and two wild pitches put the leadoff batter in prime scoring position.
The Majors would counter in the eighth when Pelle double to left center, scoring both Petkovek and
Mason Little.
Down 8-5 entering the ninth, Millsaps would load the bases with nobody out. A Little sacrifice fly would bring the Majors within two runs.
Case Page then singled to score Hart, making it 8-7 before Petkovsek would reach on an error to load the bases.
Pelle was forced into a pop up, while Ware struck out swinging to end the Major threat and valiant comeback attempt.
Millsaps will face LeTourneau again on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. to determine the series winner. Live stats and video links will be available on the baseball schedule page at 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.
