JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps college softball team split a midweek doubleheader against llinois Wesleyan University on Wednesday. The Majors fell behind in the first game, 6-4, but recovered in the second game to take down the Titans, 5-3 at the Millsaps College Softball Complex.

Game 1: Illinois Wesleyan 6, Millsaps 4 

Junior Ella Morgan Sears recorded an impressive performance by collecting three hits while carrying out her second home run on the season. Sears also drove in one run, stole a base, and scored twice in Game One.

Classmate Allana Vasquez contributed two RBIs, delivering a crucial hit by putting her teammates in scoring position.

Sophomore Caroline Mathis added a double and scored two runs, demonstrating her effectiveness at the plate.

Classmate Brynn Arena also made an impact against the Titans by hitting a double, driving in a run, and successfully stealing a base.

Sophomore Hailey Peterson pitched 3.2 innings in relief, striking out three batters and holding the guests to one earned run.

Millsaps took an early lead in the first inning when Sears homered to center field, recording an RBI. The inning concluded with Millsaps leading 1-0.

Illinois Wesleyan responded in the second inning, scoring three runs led by a pair of doubles, bringing the score to 3-1 in its favor.

In the third inning, Millsaps cut the deficit down as Mathis doubled and was driven in by Arena's fielder's choice RBI, two batters later. The score tightened to 3-2, with Illinois Wesleyan still leading.

The Titans recorded a run in the fourth inning, scoring off of two more doubles, extending their margin to 4-2.

Millsaps valiantly fought back to tie the game in the fifth inning. Vasquez delivered a two-RBI single, scoring Mathis and Sears to level the score at 4-4.

The game remained tied until the seventh inning when Illinois Wesleyan scored two additonal runs.

The Titans scored on a single, a sacrifice bunt and another hit at the plate to drive in another runner, giving IWU a 6-4 lead.

Millsaps was unable to rally in the bottom of the seventh, falling 6-4 after Sears singled to right field and Illinois Wesleyan pushed away the Majors with three groundouts.


Game 2: Millsaps 5, Illinois Wesleyan 3

Sophomore Hailey Marange, the current SAA Pitcher of the Week, delivered a complete 7-inning performance, allowing just six hits and two earned runs, while striking out one batter and issuing two walks. Marange faced 31 batters, throwing 99 pitches with 62 strikes.

Sears scored two runs, was hit by a pitch, singled, and registered one stolen base. Vasquez drove in two runs with her double.

In the second game, Millsaps secured a 5-3 victory, marked by a strong start and a resilient finish. The Majors jumped to an early lead with a three-run first inning.

Mathis walked, followed by Sears being hit by a pitch, and Arena walking to load the bases. Vasquez then doubled to left center, driving in two runs as Mathis and Sears scored. Arena then scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 3-0.

In the fifth inning, Millsaps increased its advantage as Sears singled, stole second, and advanced to third on Arena's single.

Peterson then executed a sacrifice bunt, allowing Sears to score, making it 4-0 in favor of the home team.

However, Illinois Wesleyan rallied in the sixth inning with three runs. The Titans led with a triple and scored the first run off a groundout.

Subsequent plays later, including a single by the Titans and pickle play, brought in two more runs, narrowing the gap to 4-3.

Millsaps responded in the bottom half as junior Kadence Cannon scored on a wild pitch after a hit-by-pitch, stolen base, and sacrifice bunt, pushing the score to 5-3.

The seventh inning concluded with no further scoring, as Millsaps' Peterson collected three ground outs herself and the defense held firm.

Millsaps continues to build on their success with a solid performance against Illinois Wesleyan in both games, showcasing their resilience and skill on the diamond.

The Majors will be back in action to face Centre College in a conference-opening doubleheader on Saturday, with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the Millsaps College Softball Complex. Live video and live stats will be provided 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.