February 26, 2007

PINEVILLE, La. -- In its second consecutive weekend tournament on the road to open the season, the Millsaps softball team was swept by Hardin-Simmons, LaGrange and two Top 25 teams in Central (Iowa) and host Louisiana College.

Central (Iowa), who made its 20th NCAA Division III tournament appearance in 21 years last season, compiled a 33-13 record and are ranked preseason No. 25 in the polls.

In the tournament-opener on Friday, the Dutch defeated Millsaps 3-1, using an error with two outs in the sixth inning to plate the eventual game-winning runs. Renee Hebert and Jennifer McKinley led the Majors' offensive attack, going a combined 4-for-6 with one RBI.

Against tournament host Louisiana College, who finished ranked No. 14 in 2006 with a 38-9 record and are ranked No. 11 in the preseason polls, the Lady Wildcats run-ruled the Majors in five innings by a score of 9-1.

Millsaps was held to only two hits in the contest, as sophomore hurler McCaslin Carson pitched four strong innings in the circle for Louisiana College and only allowed one run. Freshman Megan Berry pitched the fifth, retiring the lineup in order.

In the nightcap against Hardin-Simmons on Friday, the Majors tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the fourth inning before the Cowgirls rallied for nine unanswered runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth frame to run-rule the Majors, 13-4.

Senior Nicole Espinoza won the game in the circle for HSU, with Kate Bell and Cricket Criner each blasting two long balls. Sam Hill (2-for-2, two RBIs) was the offensive leader for Millsaps, recording the first two RBIs of her career in the fourth inning when she singled through the right side of the infield.

In the final game of the tournament for Millsaps on Saturday morning, the Majors committed three errors and were shutout by junior Megan Henry who tossed five solid innings while only surrendering six hits.

The Panthers plated a run in the first, two in the third and five in the fourth to run-rule the Majors, 8-0, for the third straight game to end the tournament.

Five different Majors recorded a hit in the contest, in Hill (1), McKinley (2), Josie Manley (1), Erica Douglas (1) and Jessica Clincy (1).

Dicie Holland led the way for LaGrange with three RBIs, while senior infielder Kim Woodard picked up four stolen bases, three runs and two RBIs.

After seven consecutive games on the road, Millsaps (0-7, 0-0 SCAC) will play its home-opener this weekend, a doubleheader with LaGrange on Saturday and Piedmont College on Monday. Saturday's games are scheduled for 12 and 2 p.m. with Monday's doubleheader slated for a 5 and 7 p.m. start at Freedom Park in Ridgeland.