COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Mississippi University for Women softball team earned a doubleheader sweep over Westminster College, in what was the program's first-ever St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) games. The Owls 16-8, 2-0 SLIAC) dispatched of the Bluejays (4-20, 0-2 SLIAC) by scores of 8-0 and 11-3 – both shortened to six innings by the run-rule – at Don Usher Field.
 
In game one, WC was held at bay by MUW junior right-handed pitcher Jade Rushing. Rushing (1-1) tossed her second complete game in three appearances this season, scattering five hits in the shutout victory.
 
A trio of Owls – Rylie Grisham (2-2), Jessica Deming (2-3), and Alysa Newman (2-3) - collected multiple hits in the game. Newman drove in a pair of runs.
 
The big bat belonged to thirdbaseman Reagan Newell, however. Newell (1-2) slammed a two-run home run in the second inning to provide the game-winning RBI and also walked twice.
 
In game two, Newell (1-3) duplicated her fireworks with another homer. This time Newell's blast was a solo shot in the fifth frame that – not only gave MUW a 6-3 lead and ignited a four-run rally – but helped her own cause as the pitcher of record in game 2.
 
Newman (1-2) also went long for the Owls, lifting a two-run homer to left in the first inning to get the scoring spree started. Newman also drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth for her third RBI of the day.
 
Outfielder Lilly Harrison had the biggest day for The W, going 4-for-4 batting in the No. 9 position. She scored twice, as well.
 
Deming was 2-for-3 in the leadoff slot, scoring twice and driving in two. Deming also walked twice.
 
Freshman Brooklyn Wood was 2-for-4 in the game. She laced a two-run double in the third.
 
From the circle, Newell (2-0 record) went 4.0 innings. Bailey McClellan tossed a hitless 2.0 innings to earn her first save of 2024.