COLumbus, Miss. — The University of Southern Mississippi-Women’s softball team opened its 2026 season Saturday at home with a doubleheader loss to Rhodes College. The Owls fell 12-0 in five innings in the opener and 9-6 in the second game at Usher Field.
In the first game, MUW was nearly no-hit by Rhodes. The Owls’ only hit came from freshman Gillion Eaves of Louisville, Miss., who singled with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning to prevent a perfect game. Sophomore pitcher Brooklyn Rhodes, who became the team’s ace last season, struggled in her first outing of the year. She allowed four hits and six earned runs in two innings, walking two and striking out two.
In the second game, MUW’s offense improved significantly, collecting 10 hits. The top three hitters in the lineup combined for seven of those hits. Eaves went 2-for-4 with a double, and Madison York also went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI triple. Junior Addison Owen was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Sasha King added two hits and an RBI. Third baseman Chloe McClain contributed a two-run double in the fourth inning.
Senior pitcher Phallyn Clark took the loss in the second game, pitching a complete game. She allowed nine runs, five earned, and struck out four with two walks. Clark’s effort was not enough to overcome the deficit as the Owls fell to 0-2 on the season.
MUW will host the W Invitational round-robin next Friday and Saturday, February 13-14. The tournament will include Covenant College and Sewanee.
