Millsaps Softball Looks to Build on Historic 2025 Season in 2026
The Millsaps College softball team, under second-year head coach Jeff Gillespie, is preparing for the 2026 season after finishing with a 24-14 record last year. The Majors posted their most wins since 2017 and are setting new goals for the upcoming season, according to school officials.
Last season, sophomore Hailey Peterson earned SAA Rookie of the Year honors, along with first-team all-conference and all-tournament recognition. She started all 28 games, batting .363 with 35 RBIs and an 11-6 record on the mound, including a no-hitter against Agnes Scott. Junior Allana Vasquez also contributed as a pitcher and hitter, finishing 13-8 with a .383 batting average, 49 hits, and 32 RBIs.
The team will also rely on upperclassmen such as senior Julia Strain and juniors Kadence Cannon and Ella Morgan Sears. Cannon played all 38 games last season, batted .323, and excelled defensively in double plays. Sears led the SAA in runs scored, doubles, and triples, with 37, 16, and five respectively.
The roster includes five key sophomores returning, including Ava Palumbo, who appeared in 26 games and was perfect on stolen base attempts. Kirsten Gilchrist had 17 hits and eight RBIs, while Kodi Jimmie started all 38 games, with 34 hits and sixth in the conference for putouts. Brynn Arena posted a .352 batting average and a .444 on-base percentage, earning all-conference honors.
Newcomers include nine transfer players and five freshmen making their collegiate debut. Notable transfers include Julie Amacher, a .360 hitter with nine hits and a home run at Meridian Community College, and pitcher Sarah Watson from the same school. Coastal Alabama’s Caroline Mathis and Central Baptist’s Hailey Marange also join the team, providing depth in pitching and catching.
The Majors open their 2026 campaign with a doubleheader against Centenary College on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. All games will feature live video and stats at gomajors.com. Fans can follow the team on X and Instagram or like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook for updates. Millsaps College, founded in 1890 in Jackson, Mississippi, is a nationally recognized liberal arts college committed to academic excellence and social progress.
Source: Original Article
