JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps College baseball team enters the 2026 campaign looking to build upon last year's impressive 29-15 record and 13-5 mark in Southern Athletic Association play.
Following a trip to the NCAA Regional and the departure of one of the most experienced senior classes in program history, the Majors turn the page with a strong core of returning players and an injection of talented newcomers. The roster sits at 50 student-athletes, including 28 returners and 22 new additions.
Hall of Fame head coach
Jim Page enters his 38th season at the helm and will also lean on assistants
Nathan Chilton,
Jackson Hailey, and
Case Page as the program works to sustain its championship-level standard.
Coach Page offered the following assessment entering the 2026 season, "We essentially graduated 14 guys that contributed tremendously on the field and on the mound to an NCAA Regional team. We're returning some guys that had a tremendous Fall and along with some outstanding freshmen, showed the potential to continue to build on last year's success."
One of the largest graduating classes in Millsaps baseball history moves on after powering last season's postseason run.
The Majors must replace:
Replacing this level of production provides one of the biggest storylines entering 2026. The Majors return
four starters from last season's lineup while reloading around a young, but promising pitching staff.
Returning Position Players
Senior shortstop
EJ Ousley headlines the returning position group. Ousley posted a .269 average with 31 RBIs, nine doubles, six stolen bases and a home run while starting nearly every contest for Millsaps last season. His consistency and athleticism up the middle make him one of the most important pieces of the 2026 roster.
Behind the plate, senior catcher
Mason Morgan returns after hitting .302 with three home runs, seven doubles, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases. His production on both offense and defense anchors a young catching group that will be relied upon heavily this season. He will be key in providing insight and teachings to the newcomers as he returns from surgery.
Redshirt junior right-hander
Stewart Bonnecaze returns as one of the most seasoned arms on staff. He tossed 41.2 innings last year while striking out 39 batters and earning a save. His experience as both a starter and reliever provides the staff with invaluable flexibility.
Senior
Ryan Laiche also returns after a shortened 2024 season in which he posted a 7.11 ERA with eight strikeouts and only two walks over 6.1 innings. Now fully healthy and with a strong Fall performance, Laiche is expected to take on a significantly larger role.
A deep and capable bullpen returns for 2026:
- John Montour, Sophomore – 3-0 with two saves, 22 strikeouts, and 18 appearances.
- Fred Fields, Sophomore – 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA and one save; one of the most reliable arms in late-game situations.
- Cam Cressend, Sophomore – 2-1 with 10 strikeouts over 12 appearances.
- Luke Hamblen, Sophomore – strong strikeout numbers with nine K's across six outings.
- Sam Thomas, Senior – 2-1 with a steady 3.92 ERA in 12 appearances.
With another year of experience, the bullpen stands as one of Millsaps' clearest strengths entering the new year.
The Majors welcome a large and talented class of freshmen newcomers expected to compete immediately for roles across the diamond:
This group brings speed, depth, arm talent, and competitiveness as Millsaps replaces an outgoing class loaded with All-SAA and All-American talent. With a strong group of returners and one of the most promising freshman classes in recent years, the Majors look to remain firmly in the hunt for another SAA title.
Millsaps opens the 2026 campaign at LeTourneau University for a three-game series, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Live video and live stats will be provided for all games at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College baseball 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.
