The Mississippi University for Women softball team split a doubleheader against Illinois Wesleyan University on Sunday at Don Usher Field. The Owls (5-8) took the first game 5-3 before losing the second 4-0, according to team officials.
In the opening game, MUW jumped to a 5-0 lead after three innings. Gillion Eaves opened the scoring with an RBI single that drove in pitcher Trinity Garvin. MC Brown then hit a two-out double, with Eaves stopping at third. Madison York’s grounder to third resulted in an error that allowed Eaves and Brown to score, extending the lead.
In the third inning, Avery Johnston delivered a two-RBI single to right with two outs, pushing the lead to 5-0. Garvin pitched six strong innings, allowing only single runs in the fourth and fifth. In the seventh, Illinois Wesleyan loaded the bases with no outs. Freshman Rachel Etheridge came in as a reliever and recorded a double play after a sacrifice fly cut the lead to 5-3. Etheridge then induced a groundout to end the game. She earned her second save of the season.
Madison Owen led the Owls offensively, going 3-for-3. Brown was 1-for-1 with a double, two hit-by-pitches, and two runs scored. In the second game, Illinois Wesleyan’s Gianna Certa limited MUW to four hits in a 4-0 shutout. The Owls’ top four hitters each went 1-for-3, but the team could not solve Certa, who struck out six batters.
Starting pitcher Rhodes (1-2) took the loss, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing one run, striking out three, and issuing one walk, officials said.
