JACKSON & COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Millsaps softball team opened the 2024 season with a 3-1 home record after splitting a doubleheader against Schreiner, 6-5 and 10-1 at the Millsaps College Softball Complex on Friday. The Majors then fought hard but were defeated in a pair of games against both MUW and Franklin College at the Don Usher Softball Field on Saturday and Sunday.


Game 1: 6-5, W vs. Schreiner (Friday)

Freshman Allana Vasquez pitched a four innings while giving up three hits and only one run, while striking out one batter and walking four batters. Senior Abigail Smith posted a 1.2 IP with one strikeout and a run while allowing three hits to hold the win.

Sophomore Tayler Gonzales batted 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI, while senior Camille Black finished 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Junior Alli Nolen would add two RBIs and a hit in Game One. Sophomore Julia Strain walked twice with a steal, run scored, hit and two walks.

In the bottom of the second inning, a Gonzales run courtesy of a senior Molli Perry walk would give the Majors a 1-0 led. Moments later a single to left field by Nolen would advance home freshman Kadence Cannon and Strain to put the Majors further ahead, 3-0.

Millsaps would score again in the bottom of the third with an error on the shortstop allowing Black to race home.

The Majors lead would stretch to 5-0, as Strain would make a hit towards the right side of the field to tally home Gonzales.

However, in the bottom of the fourth Schreiner would put up their first run of the game due to a double.

In the bottom of the sixth inning the Mountaineers would post four runs to mount a comeback to tie the game at 5-5.

In the bottom of the seventh, Norris would lead the inning with a walk and be bunted by Black into scoring position. Gonzales then delivered a double to left field with two outs and plate the walk-off run, giving Millsaps a 6-5 triumph.


Game 2: 10-1 (6 inn.), L vs. Schreiner (Friday)

Nolen (one run) and Vasquez both finished 2-for-3 in the Game Two on Friday, while Norris posted an RBI.

Senior Abigail Smith (3.0 IP) allowed six hits and three runs, but struck out four batters with no walks.

A Nolen run courtesy of a Norris sacrifice fly would put the Majors ahead 1-0 in the opening inning. However, the Mountaineers tied the game with a run in the top of the second.

Schreiner would later score twice in the third, four times in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to pull away and win 10-1 for a series split.


Game 3: 8-0 (5 inn.), L vs. Franklin (MUW Invitational - Saturday)

Nolen, Norris and freshman Madeline Black all batted 1-for-2 against the Grizzles.

Vasquez pitched all four innings for the Majors defensively, while posting four strikeouts and one walk against seven earned runs.

Franklin College tallied a run in the first as well as two runs in both the second and third innings for a 5-0 start.

In the top of the fourth, the Majors looked to gain ground as Vasquez would take first from an error. Norris then singled up the middle, but the Grizzlies held and closed the chance with three straight outs.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Franklin would add three final tallies and hold Millsaps in the fifth for the 8-0 decision.


Game 4: 8-1, L at MUW - Saturday

Norris (one RBI) and Vasquez (one run) both hit 2-for-3, while freshman Kandace Burkett provided a pinch-hit single.

Senior Brianna Newman closed the final four innings allowing just three runs and five hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

Perry opened the first inning with a walk and Vasquez single along with a pair of stolen bases advanced both into scoring position with one out. The Owls would end the chance with back-to-back outs.

MUW answered to build a 5-0 cushion following the first two innings.

In the top of the fourth, Norris would give Millsaps their first run of the game with a double to advance Vasquez home from first base.

However, the Owls answered right back with three runs in the bottom half of the frame.

As the game continued into the sixth, Norris, Camille Black and Burkett singled but again MUW kept the inning scoreless.

Madeline Black would put up the last hit for the Majors in the top of the seventh inning before the Owls closed out the contest with an 8-1 win.


Game 5: 6-4, L vs. Franklin (MUW Invitational – Sunday)

Freshman Mya Skinner completed her first collegiate start on the mound for the Majors with 7.0 IP, finishing with three strikeouts, only one walk and five earned runs and 12 hits against.

Vasquez finished 3-for-4 with another strong game, tallying one run, an RBI, two doubles and a stolen base. Perry also batted 3-for-4 with two runs and a triple. Norris ended the game 2-for-4 and an RBI, while Cannon recorded a hit, RBI and a walk.

Millsaps scored first in the bottom of the first inning when a passed ball brought Perry home to score from third.

In the top of the third, Franklin would put up two runs with two runners on and back-to-back hits.

However, in the bottom of the third Millsaps would draw the game 2-2 as Perry would blast a triple to center field and later be plated by a Vasquez double.

Millsaps would not stop there as Katie Norris rocketed a single to left field to advance Vasquez home to put the Majors ahead, 3-2.

In the top of the fourth, Franklin would retake the led with a two-run double to left center. The Grizzles added another run in the fifth after starting the inning with three straight hits.

Millsaps cut the Franklin lead down to 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Cannon single, which advanced home freshman Alli Powell.

The Grizzlies added another run in the seventh to push ahead, 6-4. A double play ended a comeback opportunity in the bottom of the seventh as Franklin held for the 6-4 win.


Game 6: 7-2, at MUW – Sunday

Black batted 2-for-3 from batting with an RBI, while Perry finished 2-for-4 with a stolen base in the final game of the weekend.

Vasquez pitched six innings, registering four strikeouts, seven hits and held the Owls to five walks and three earned runs.

The first scoring of the game arrived in the bottom of the third inning when MUW tallied three runs.

In the top of the fourth inning, Millsaps answered with a pair of runs. Norris would double down to right center to send Vasquez home.

Norris would then advance to third following a wild pitch by the Owls. A single up the middle by Black brought Norris to home score and pulled the Majors within 3-2.

The top of the fifth saw the Majors possess an opportunity to tie game as Perry singled, stole a base and later advance to third on a wild pitch with two outs.

MUW added a run in the bottom of the fifth and added three more in the bottom of the sixth to build a 7-2 margin. The Owls held on in the seventh for the final, 7-2 decision.

The Majors will be back in action on Saturday, March 2, hosting Dillard University in a doubleheader beginning at 1 and 3 p.m. Live video and live stats will be available at gomajors.com.


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