CONWAY, Ark. – Millsaps softball senior pitcher Cassidy Thrash held off Hendrix by nearly going the distance in a 3-2 triumph at Warrior Softball Field on Thursday.

Millsaps (16-20, 10-6 SAA) clinched the No. 3 seed in next week's SAA Softball Tournament with the victory.

Thrash struck out three batters, yielding one walk and two runs in 6.2 IP. Sophomore Molli Perry went 3-for-3 with a run scored and stolen base. Senior Kat Reeves notched two hits, a stolen base, run scored and RBI to power the Majors offensively.

The first four Majors reached base as Emily Cook walked with bases loaded to make it 1-0 advantage. After a strikeout, Ty Bergeron would also work a walk for a bases-loaded RBI and push the lead to 2-0.
 
Thrash was dealing early as she struck out her first two batters. Katie Norris would then be the second Major to lead off an inning with a double to begin the second frame. After being bunted over to third base, Reeves would score Norris with a looping hit over the Hendrix third baseman's head.

Ty Bergeron made a diving catch to begin the third inning, which looked labeled for an extra-base hit.

The shutout would be broken by Hendrix (17-15, 7-9 SAA) later in the frame after a walk and double. The Warriors scored a second run with runners on the corners when a ball dropped just in front of Norris' diving glove. Catcher Megan Authement would respond with a dart to the shortstop to throw out the Hendrix runner on a stolen base attempt.

Millsaps would put runners on first and second on their next offensive attempt, but were stopped in the inning. Thrash was able to retaliate after giving up a hit with one out by forcing a ground out and pop out, giving the Majors a chance to grow their 3-2 lead heading into the sixth.

Perry would nearly take advantage with her third hit of the evening. A steal of second and a Reeves double would have provided Millsaps a 4-2 advantage. However, Reeves was deemed to have left the box early, so the play resulted in a strikeout instead to end the opportunity.

It wouldn't matter as the Major defense would hold tough in the bottom of the seventh for the 3-2, series opening win. Junior Hannah Derouen tallied the final out with two runners out to earn the save.

Millsaps and Hendrix will wrap up the SAA regular season with a doubleheader, beginning at 5 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at gomajors.com.


To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps softball program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.