JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps College softball team is coming off of a historic season under now second-year head coach Jeff Gillespie. The Majors, who finished with a 24-14 record (11-4 SAA), have a whole new set of goals and expectations to build off of last year.

Millsaps, who posted the most wins in a season since 2017, have a unique and quality roster for this upcoming season.

Last year, sophomore Hailey Peterson was named SAA Rookie of the Year to go along with All-SAA First Team and SAA All-Tournament honors as well. She did it all for the Majors, starting all 28 games of the season batting .363, with a team-leading 35 RBI's. Not only that, but Peterson was 11-6 in the circle, with a 2.99 ERA and pitched a no-hitter against Agnes Scott.

Also doing it on both sides of the field is Allana Vasquez. The Junior All-SAA Second Teamer is the only other returning pitcher for the Majors, as she was 13-8 in her appearances in the circle last season. She also led the team in batting average, with a very impressive .383 alongside 49 hits and 32 RBIs.

As far as returning upperclassmen, the Majors also get back senior Julia Strain, and juniors Kadence Cannon and Ella Morgan Sears. Cannon and Sears both played in all 38 of the games last year, and both finished on the All SAA Second Team. Cannon batted .323 and was second in the SAA in turning double plays defensively. Meanwhile, Sears lead the SAA in runs scored (37), doubles (16), and triples (five).

Along with Peterson, the Majors bring back five important sophomores to their roster. They are Ava Palumbo, Hannah Briscoe, Kirsten Gilchrist, Kodi Jimmie, and Brynn Arena.

Palumbo appeared in 26 games last season and was perfect on a pair of steal attempts. Gilchrist had 17 hits last season, which scored her eight RBIs. Jimmie started all 38 of the Majors' games in 2025 where she had 34 hits and was sixth in the SAA in putouts. Arena batted .352 last season to go along with a .444 OBP, sixth best in the SAA, earning a spot on the All-SAA Second Team.

Coach Gillespie and assistant coach Lindsey Coffey bring in nine new players looking to make their own impact on the Millsaps 2026 season. First, Julie Amacher batted .360 with nine hits and a home run to go along with 21 appearances and 42 strikeouts in the circle, with Meridian Community College. Her teammate and fellow pitcher Sarah Watson also comes over from the Eagles, where she pitched in 37 games in her two years with Meridian.

Helping out behind the plate is Caroline Mathis, who played in 46 games last season at Coastal Alabama Community College. There, she batted .269 with 25 hits and 23 RBIs.

The last addition to the transfer class is Hailey Marange. The Central Baptist transfer pitched in 17 games for the Mustangs in 2025, where she had 11 strikeouts.

Entering their first year of collegiate athletics are Hadley Brunet, Abby David, Liza Gregg, Savannah McGilton, and Klaire Purewal.

Millsaps opens the 2026 campaign by hosting Centenary College for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 7. 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 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.