Millsaps Softball Splits Doubleheader with Rhodes

JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps softball team took down Rhodes, claiming two of three victories over the weekend. The Majors bettered the Lynx 10-0 on Saturday. On Sunday, Millsaps also bested Rhodes, 8-2 before falling, 4-2 in the doubleheader at the Millsaps College Softball Complex.

The Majors also recognized sophomore Ella Morgan Sears as the recipient of the 2025 Beacon Award, while celebrating Alumni Day on Sunday. Millsaps (15-9, 4-2 SAA) secured a firm hold of second place in the Southern Athletic Association standings after the series.

Game 1: 8-2, W

After downing the Lynx in the opening game of the series on Saturday, the Majors dominated the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.

Junior Kinsey Smith finished 3-for-3 alongside two RBIs and a double.  

Sophomore Kadence Cannon (run) and freshman Hailey Peterson (RBI, run, double, walk) each batted 2-for-3 against their conference opponents.

Freshman Kirsten Gilchrist tallied her first collegiate home run.

Sears (RBI, run, double, stolen base), sophomore Allana Vasquez (two RBIs, run, double), senior Alli Nolen (RBI, run, walk), and freshman Brynn Arena(run, hit by a pitch) each recorded a hit against the Lynx.  

Freshman Hailey Peterson pitched all seven innings inside the circle. The Metairie, La., native struck out two batters while allowing only one earned run, one walk and six hits.

Sears and Peterson both reached on errors to open the contest. However, a ground out and a pair of fielder’s choices by freshman Kodi Jimmie and Nolen ended the early threat.

In the bottom of the second, Millsaps put up great hits with a Kinsey double and a single up the middle by Cannon. Rhodes again escaped by forcing another fielder’s choice.

Sophomore catcher Cassidy Cannella connected on a throw with Cannon at second base to catch a Lynx runner stealing in the fourth inning defensively.

After a balanced effort by the Majors, a single to right center by Smith scored Nolen to give the Majors a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.  

Rhodes finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning following an error, singled and bunt play.

However, Gilchrist would blast a solo homer beyond the Millsaps College Softball Complex center-field fence to give the Majors a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Gilchrist’s homer ultimately sparked a seven-run frame.

The Lynx would fall behind 3-1 moments later after Smith singled up the middle to bring Arena home from second base.  

Millsaps soon extended their lead to 4-1 with a Sears double to right field, sending freshman Ava Palumbo home.

Keeping their hot streak alive, Millsaps pushed past the Lynx, 5-1 after Peterson singled through the left side to send Cannon to home plate.  

Vasquez added more pressure for the squad by blasting a double to right field and score both Peterson and Sears, making it 7-1.

Nolen continued to punish the Lynx by singling through the left side and bringing Vasquez around to score.

In the top of the seventh inning, Rhodes added a run with a bases-loaded hit by pitch.

Nolen provided the last out by collecting the ball and throwing out a Lynx on a ground out. The Majors earned an 8-2 win to claim the series on Sunday. 

Game 2: 4-2, L

Rhodes used a four-run fourth inning to avoid the sweep in the second game and series finales on Sunday.

Sears, Smith (walk), Jimmie (walk) and Vasquez (RBI, hit by pitch) each recorded a hit against the Lynx.

Vasquez also pitched all seven innings inside the circle, striking out four batters while allowing four runs, three walks and eight hits. 

Rhodes jumped ahead of the Majors with a 4-0 lead after four runs and four hits in the top of the third inning.  

Smith and Jimmie both tallied hits in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to build the team’s confidence. Vasquez was also hit by a pitch in the fourth, but the Lynx extinguished the threat with three straight outs.

In the bottom of the sixth frame, Vasquez singled to the Lynx shortstop to help score Peterson. An erroneous throw attempting get Vasquez out helped bring Peterson home, cutting the deficit down to 4-1. 

Palumbo would step into the contest as a pinch runner and make her way to third and make it home courtesy of a Gilchrist sacrifice fly.

After two walks to load the bases, Rhodes forced a pop up to stop the scoring chance.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Millsaps looked to battle back. Sears provided a leadoff singled to left field. However, the Lynx responded with a pop up, a ground out and a fly out to take Game Three of the series, 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. 

The Majors will be back in action at Centre College, beginning at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, April 12. Live video and live stats links will be provided at gomajors.com.