JACKSON, Miss. – The W softball lost a non-conference doubleheader at Millsaps College on Saturday, falling by scores of 6-1 and 5-1. The Owls (4-4) slipped to .500 by virtue of the setbacks to the Majors (6-2).
 
In both contests, the two regional rivals were locked in tight battles, until late-inning rallies by host Millsaps decided the outcome. In game one, MUW led 1-0 entering the home half of the fifth, when a Majors' eruption plated three runs, followed by three more in the sixth.
 
MUW managed just three hits in the opener, one of which was Brianna Byrd's (1-3) first home run as an Owl, a solo shot in the top of the fifth. Addison Owen (1-3) had double, as well. Kaylee Crawford (1-3) singled for The W's other knock.
 
Phallyn Clark (1-2) tossed the complete game in absorbing the loss. Clark surrendered 11 hits to Millsaps and five earned runs. She had four strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
 
The second game took a similar tack, with MUW tying the matchup at 1-1, thanks to an RBI single from Madison York (2-2), plating Lilly Harrison in the fifth.
 
But the Majors got to MUW starter Brooklyn Rhodes (2-2) for a single run in the bottom of the fifth and a three-spot in the sixth.
 
Rhodes allowed nine hits, but just one earned run of MC's five scored. She struck out four and walked three.
 
The same teams will play a single game Sunday (12 p.m.) to cap the three-game series.