JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps softball team claimed a four-game sweep over Austin College, opening the 2023 season at 4-0 at the Millsaps Softball Complex.
 
Game 1: 10-3, W
 
Sophomore infielder Alli Nolen dominated the opener going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Brianna Newman also went 3-for-4, posted two RBIs and scored a run. Junior outfielder Katie Norris added three runs scored.
 
Senior pitcher Hannah Derouen was solid with 6.0 innings pitched, six strikeouts, while allowing two earned runs and three walks against four hits.
 
The Kangaroos got on the board first, but the Majors countered with a pair of runs in their half of the first inning courtesy of a Nolen single. Austin regained the lead in the second, but a wild pitch scored junior Molli Perry and Nolen added another RBI single to make it 4-3 Millsaps.
 
The Majors added four runs in the fifth courtesy of a single, double, passed ball and sacrifice fly. Millsaps added two more runs in the sixth for the final 10-3 tally.
 
Game 2: 6-2, W
 
Senior pitcher Delta Claire Newman was electric going the full seven innings with two strikeouts, one walk, five hits and only one earned run.

Norris was the difference maker in the second game on Friday going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Perry and freshman Tayler Gonzales also recorded a pair of hits.
 
The Majors struck first in the second inning with a Haylie Hoffpauir RBI ground out which allowed senior Amber Clark to score. With the Kangaroos struggling to put any runs on the board, the Majors would run away with three more runs in the third inning. Norris tripled to score Magen Authement and Perry, while Brianna Newman recorded an RBI ground out.
 
The Kangaroos would finally score a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to make it 4-2. However, Millsaps answered with a pair in the bottom of the fifth. Nolen used a sacrifice fly and Brianna Newman scored on a wild pitch for a 6-2 triumph.
 
Game 3: 8-7, W
 
The Majors picked up the first game on Saturday when Brianna Newman lead the way with a 3-for-4 performance to go along with four RBIs. She also pitched a complete game in which she only walked two batters with a strikeout and allowed two earned runs.

Nolen went 2-for-4 with two runs and both Norris and Authement scored twice.
 
The Kangaroos leapt ahead with two runs in the first inning. Millsaps would score once in the second and twice in the third. Hoffpair singled home a score before Brianna Newman tripled to plate two teammates.

Austin regained a 4-3 advantage in the fourth before the Majors scored the next four runs. A pair of errors as well as Newman and Gonzales RBI singles made it 7-4.
 
The Kangaroos scored again in the sixth before Newman answered with another clutch and crucial hit. The visitors would strike twice more, but Newman shut the door with a game-ending strikeout and the tying runner on second.
 
Game 4: 13-11, (5 innings), W
 
The final game of the series saw the Majors make an incredible comeback after trailing 10-1 through the top of the third.

Norris finished 2-for-3 with three runs and four RBIs, while Perry went 3-for-3 with four runs, three stolen bases and a walk.

Delta Claire Newman posted a 2-for-2 day with two RBIs. Additionally, Brianna Newman finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a walk and a run scored. Authement (one RBI, 2-for-3) and Nolen also crossed home plate twice.
 
Millsaps tallied three runs in the third and six in the fourth. Austin added a marker in their half of the fourth to hold a narrow 11-10 advantage as rain began to mist downward.
 
The first two Majors grounded out in the fifth before Perry singled and Authement walked. With Perry on second, the pair stole second and third to reach scoring position. Norris provided a sensational double to score both and give Millsaps its first lead of the game.
 
Brianna Newman would single to center and score Norris to make it a 13-11 contest. The game was called shortly after as the rain poured down. Millsaps earned the series sweep in the process to open the season at 4-0.
 
The Majors will next travel to Huntingdon for another doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Live video and stats 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.