Jackson, MS - For the second time in as many days,
Ashley Howard delivered a strong start in the circle for Centre but could not get a win. The Colonel bats struggled against Millsaps and set the stage for a walk-off home run from the Majors in the bottom of the 7th for a 3-1 win to complete the series sweep.
Howard surrendered nothing but a 2-out single in the bottom of the 1st but stranded the runner on a fielder's choice after Centre went down in order to start the inning.
Emily Lammers reached on a hit-by-pitch in the 2nd. She was bunted to second base with 2 out.
Morgan Tabor then followed with an 11-pitch at-bat that resulted in a line out to the left fielder to end the threat.
Millsaps posed its next threat in the bottom of the 3rd. Two singles started the inning for the Majors, but Howard fought back. A harmless fly to center was followed by a fielder's choice and a weak grounder to short. Both runners were stranded to keep the game scoreless heading to the 4th.
In the bottom of the 5th, Howard retired the first two batters then faced trouble again. A double, walk and passed ball put runners at 2nd & 3rd. On a 3-1 count, Howard got the result she needed as a fly ball was fielded in left to keep the game scoreless heading to the 6th.
Centre finally got something going on offense in support of its starter.
Jada Challiss singled on a 1-0 pitch up the middle. She was lifted for
Madison Skibo, who moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a ground out.
Baylee Estes then tapped a grounder back to the pitcher that was enough to score Skibo and give Centre a 1-0 lead.
Kennedy Caudill came on in relief for Howard in the bottom of the 6th. After a leadoff walk, Caudill retired the next 3 to preserve the lead heading to the 7th. Centre went 1-2-3 in the top of the inning. In the bottom of the 7th, Millsaps started with an infield single. A bunt single put another runner on. The next batter followed with a long fly to right center that cleared the fence to send Centre to a stunning 3-1 defeat.
Ashley Howard threw 5 brilliant innings, scattering 5 hits and 1 walk on 57 pitches.
Kennedy Caudill took the loss to fall to 2-1 on the year.
The Colonels now regroup and head to Indiana for a series of games, starting with a doubleheader at Anderson University on Wednesday, starting at 2:00pm.
