JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps softball team opened their 2024 Season Slate by downing Centenary 6–1, and 6–5 in a double header at the Millsaps Softball Complex on Friday.
Game 1: 6-1, W
Freshman
Allana Vasquez pitched a complete seven innings in her first collegiate start in the circle for the Majors, while recording four strikeouts and one hit against. She also batted home two runs offensively.
Senior
Molli Perry stood out with a 2-for-3 game at bat while securing two runs. Sophomore
Kinsey Smith batted 2-for-3, while adding three RBIs and a run scored. Junior
Alli Nolen went 1-for-1 with two runs scored and a walk.
The Majors opened the season with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Smith doubled home Perry to make it 1-0.
Vasquez would trust her vision at bat by singling the ball down the right side to plate teammates Smith and Nolen for two RBIs.
Millsaps extended their advantage to 4-0 in the bottom of the third when Smith again plated Perry, this time with an RBI ground out.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Nolen tripled to right field. Smith followed by rocking a hit to right field and pushed the margin to 5-0.
In the top of the six, Centenary would finally catch a break as they would send a single up the middle and an error would allow a run to scratch across the plate.
Centenary would try to stop the Majors in the bottom of the sixth inning, but a powerful double by sophomore
Julia Strain would score senior
Camille Black, who scored after stealing second base.
Vasquez closed out any further threats and powered Millsaps to a 6-1 victory in Game One over Centenary.
Game 2: 6-5, W
Millsaps would continue to finish where they left off by downing Centenary, 6-5 in Game Two.
Nolen ended the day 4-for-4 with two runs, while
Vasquez batted 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Abigail Smith began her senior year in the circle with 5.0 IP, holding the Ladies to one unearned run against seven hits.
In the top of the first inning, Centenary would score from a run, but Millsaps would respond back in the bottom of the second inning as freshman
Kandace Cannon would single home Vasquez.
Millsaps would take their first lead in the bottom of the third as Vasquez singled to the plate Nolen.
Moments later, Black brought Vasquez home from third to shift the Majors ahead, 3-1.
However, a costly error by Millsaps would allow Centenary to score a run in the top of the fifth inning.
The Majors then make up their mistake offensively as Nolen scored on an delayed double steal play to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Centenary not backing down would score another run in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Strain would crack the ball at the shortstop and bring home Black from third.
Centenary battled back hard in the seventh inning to tie the game at 5-5. The final out during the threat was recorded with a crucial throw by center fielder Perry who connected at home plate.
Perry came right back in the bottom of the seventh, leading off with a single and steal of second base. Nolen, who played incredibly well in the doubleheader, singled to advance Perry to third.
Smith would pop a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Perry with a thrilling walk-off. The Majors would end the contest ahead, 6-5 and earn the Opening Day sweep.
The Majors will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 16 hosting Schreiner University in another doubleheader. First pitch begins at 1 p.m. with live video and live stats 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.
