MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Millsaps College softball team battled No. 16 ranked Huntingdon College, taking one of the three games at Samford Softball Complex over the weekend. The Majors secured their first win over a ranked opponent since April 2022.

On Friday the Majors fell 9-1 in six innings and 4-0 before earning an 8-5 triumph on Saturday.

Game 1: 9-1, L (6 inn.)

Millsaps fell to Huntingdon, 9-1 in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday. Junior Ella Morgan Sears (one run), sophomore Hailey Peterson (steal) and classmate Ava Palumbo (steal) each recorded a hit. Junior Allana Vasquez tallied an RBI.

Huntingdon took a 1-0 lead in the second and scored four additional runs in the fourth.

Millsaps managed a run in the fourth inning when Sears opened with double and later scored on an error, making it 5-1. However, Huntingdon sealed the game with four runs in the sixth, putting the run-rule into effect.

Game 2: 4-0, L

Millsaps ran into a tough Huntingdon pitcher in Addison Gaines, who only surrendered one hit and tossed 10 strikeouts. Sophomore Brynn Arena tallied a hit in the seventh and senior Julia Strain walked in the sixth.

The scoring began in the first inning with a Hawk single, steal and sacrifice groundout. Huntingdon managed to add two runs in thre third inning and a fourth tally in the sixth frame. 

Game 3: 8-5, W

Millsaps bounced back on Saturday with an 8-5 victory over the Hawks. The Majors capitalized on Huntingdon's five errors, scoring four runs in the seventh inning in a tie game to secure the win.

Peterson held the Hawks to win earned run, one walk and only three hits in the first 4.1 innings. Vasquez also pitched well in the final 2.2 innings allowing just one run against four hits and no walks.

Vasquez added two hits, an RBI, run scored and a walk. Sears tallied an RBI double, walked and stole two bases and scored twice. Peterson was credited with three RBIs and junior Kadence Cannon secured two RBIs.

The game started strong for Millsaps, with two runs in the first inning following a first baseman error that scored Vasquez and sophomore Caroline Mathis from the corners.

Huntingdon managed to tie the contest up with individual runs in both the third and and fourth innings.

Millsaps managed to make it 4-2 in fifth inning after Mathis walked and stole second. Sears followed with her RBI double and promptly stole third base. Vasquez then doubled to left center to bring Sears across home plate.

The Hawks broke through again, this for a pair of runs in the fifth to set up a thrilling finish. After no scoring in the sixth, Millsaps managed a knockout blow with four runs in the top of the seventh.

Arena first plated Palumbo with a single with the bases loaded. Peterson then forced an error by the Hawk pitcher and brought Sears home. Cannon later opened up the scoring flood with a single that brought pinch runner Hadley Brunet and Arena in to score.

The Hawks would muster a final run in the bottom of the seventh frame, but the Majors held strong and downed the Hawks, 8-5 for their first ranked win since 2022.

Millsaps will next return to action and travel two blocks to face No. 14 Belhaven University at McLeod Field on Tuesday, Feb. 24. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. with live video and live stats provided at gomajors.com.


To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College softball program this year 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.