Montgomery, Ala. — Senior right-hander Campbell McCluney pitched six strong innings to lead Mississippi University for Women to a 4-2 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan in the season opener Friday.
The game marked MUW’s first encounter with the Bishops, a program established in 1961 with more than 1,300 wins, 23 NCAA postseason appearances, 12 regional titles, and two NCAA Division III national championships.
McCluney allowed two hits and two runs, struck out 11 batters — the second-most in school history — and walked four. After 93 pitches, he was replaced by Josh Mackey, who closed the game with three scoreless innings, four strikeouts, and three walks to earn the save.
Offensively, Zack Egan’s RBI double in the fifth scored Matthew Windham, giving MUW its first run of 2026. The Owls added another unearned run in the same inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Chase Marshall helped extend the lead in the sixth by drawing a walk, advancing to third on a passed ball, and scoring on another passed ball after stealing home. North Carolina Wesleyan scored twice in the seventh, but MUW responded with an insurance run when Zach Johnson stole home after a single and passed ball, sealing the 4-2 victory.
The Owls will play a doubleheader Saturday, facing North Park University at 10 a.m. and Huntingdon College at 4:30 p.m.
