DANVILLE, Ky. – The Millsaps softball team (18-10, 7-2 SAA) maintained its hold on second place in the Southern Athletic Association standings after a strong road sweep at Centre College over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Majors won 10-0 in five innings and 7-2 before securing the sweep with a 2-0 decision at Centre Softball Field on Sunday.
Game 1, W: Millsaps 10, Centre 0 (5 inn.)
The Majors dominated the Colonels in the opening game of the series on Saturday. Millsaps put the run-rule into play, downing Centre by a 10-0 score in five innings.
Freshman Hailey Peterson topped the Colonels with her fourth homer of the season. The Metairie, La., native went 2-for-3 at the plate. She contributed two runs, a pair of RBIs and stole a base.
Sophomore Ella Morgan Sears sank the Colonels with her third homer of the season, which was a third-inning grand slam. She set a Millsaps personal career-high with five RBIs and also accumulated two runs and a stolen base.
Freshman Ava Palumbo (RBI, run) and sophomore Allana Vasquez (stolen base) also went 2-for-3 at the plate. Vasquez pitched all five scoreless innings where she struck out four batters against two hits and one walk.
Seniors Alli Nolen (run) and Kinsey Smith (RBI double, run) alongside freshman Brynn Arena (double, two walks) each recorded a hit in Game One.
In the top of the first inning, Peterson and Vasquez both hit singles to start the Majors off strong. Millsaps collected 10 hits and surrendered no errors in the contest.
Moments later, the duo stole bases and Peterson scored on a catcher scoring error, giving Millsaps a 1-0 lead.
Millsaps continued to fight hard as Arena and Smith each hit doubles in the opening moments of the second. Arena crossed home plate following Smith's double, extending the Majors' lead to 2-0.
Moments later, Sears reached first base on a fielder's choice, allowing Smith to score.
Continuing an impressive effort by Millsaps, Sears stole second base and scored after Peterson hit a two-run homer, which extended the Major margin to 5-0.
Millsaps remained focused in the top of the third inning by loading the bases. Palumbo singled to the Colonels' shortstop, allowing Nolen to score and helping the Majors maintain a 6-0 lead.
Moments later, Sears crashed a grand slam over the Centre Softball Field left-center fence, creating a 10-0 disparity.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Vasquez allowed one hit and no runs. Sophomore Kadence Cannon, Palumbo and freshman Kodi Jimmie each recorded the Colonels' final outs, leading to a decisive 10-0 victory in five innings.
Game 2, W: Millsaps 7, Centre 2
The Majors continued their winning ways by overpowering the Colonels with three multi-run innings, securing a 7-2 Game Two victory on Saturday.
Sears (2-for-5, two steals, one run) and Arena (2-for-4, RBI, run double, stolen base) both recorded a pair of hits.
Peterson (run, stolen base), Nolen (RBI) and Cannon (stolen base) each secured a single.
In the circle, Peterson pitched a complete game with one strikeout, one walk and one earned run against 10 hits.
Sears led off the game with a single to right center and promptly stole second base.
Moments later, Peterson stepped into the batter's box and knocked a single of her own to the shortstop to provide the Majors an early spark.
After a pair of singles by the duo, Vasquez sent a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Sears to score, giving the Majors a 1-0 lead.
A sacrifice bunt by Nolen then sent Peterson home from third base two batters later.
In the same inning, Arena stepped inside the batter's box and crushed a single to Centre's second baseman, giving Jimmie a path to score from third and push the Majors ahead, 3-0.
In the third inning, Jimmie walked and Arena doubled to put both in scoring position. The duo then scored off two unearned runs following an error by Centre's second baseman, who was attempting to throw out Cannon at first base.
Centre would finally score their first run of the day in the bottom of the third inning off a Millsaps error, still trailing behind at 5-1.
The score would remain unchanged until the top of the seventh when Vasquez walked and reached third off two wild pitches. A Nolen fielder's choice brought Vasquez home.
With the bases loaded later in the inning, Palumbo netted an RBI with a walk, making it 7-1.
The Colonels answered with four hits and clawed across one run in the bottom of the seventh, but it was not enough. A double play between third base, the catcher and first base closed out a 7-2 victory in Game Two.
Game 3, W: Millsaps 2, Centre 0
Game Three featured a pitcher's duel as Vasquez tossed a career-high 11 strikeouts in a scoreless, seven-inning gem. Only two Colonels managed a base hit and two were walked.
The 11 strikeouts were the most by a Major pitched since Kayla Davidson Reel threw 12 on both March 13 and 15, 2018.
Jimmie batted 2-for-3 and recorded her second homer of the season. The Choctaw, Miss., product also registered a run and a double with her accolades.
Sears (two stolen bases, run) and Smith each recorded a hit against the Colonels.
Sears then led off the finale with a single to right center before stealing second base.
Peterson followed with a walk after stepping into the batter's box. A double steal by Sears and Peterson proved successful for both.
Sears then scored off on an error by the Colonel third baseman, giving the Majors a 1-0 lead.
After an impressive start by the Majors, Jimmie kept the fire going in the top of the fourth inning by a blasting solo home run to left field and move the Majors ahead, 2-0.
In the top of the sixth inning, Jimmie doubled to second base before a line out closed the opportunity. Smith then singled in the seventh, but the pitching kept Millsaps in front by two runs.
Centre looked to battle back in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff single. However, Vasquez forced a ground out and stumped the Colonels with two more strikeouts. Her stellar pitching performance helped blank Centre, 2-0 on Sunday.
The Majors will now enter their bye weekend before hosting Berry College, April 26-27. Saturday, April 26 will be Senior Day and feature a 1 p.m. doubleheader. Live video and live stats will be available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College softball program follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
Founded in Jackson, Mississippi in 1890, Millsaps College is a national liberal arts college dedicated to academic excellence, open inquiry and free expression, the exploration of faith to inform vocation and the innovative shaping of the social, economic and cultural progress of our region. Consistently ranked as one of the best values in higher education, Millsaps has been praised by Colleges That Change Lives, The Princeton Review, Forbes Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The John Templeton Foundation, and The Fiske Guide to Colleges.
