Rhodes College punched their ticket to the semifinals of the SAA Tournament with a commanding 7-1 victory over #5 Sewanee and a solid 5-1 victory over #4 Hendrix in Columbus, Georgia, on Friday morning. Later that day, they fell to the Millsaps Majors in the SAA semi-final game bringing their season to an end.
Game 1
The game remained scoreless through two innings until Rhodes took advantage of Sewanee's defensive miscues in the third. Jasmyn Stanley scored the game's first run on a groundout by Emma Caplinger, followed by Savannah Russell crossing the plate on a single by Quinn Thompson, giving Rhodes a 2-0 lead.
Sewanee cut the deficit in the fourth with an RBI single, but that would be the only run Gina Dudley allowed. The Rhodes ace was masterful on the mound, going the distance with seven innings of four-hit, no-earned-run ball, improving her record to 14-6.
Rhodes widened their lead in the sixth inning. Harper Allee-Press scored on a perfectly placed bunt single by Madison Bromley, and Katie Bejian added to the cushion with a sacrifice fly that brought Kate Ledlie home. The seventh inning was the final nail in the coffin, as Allee-Press and Bejian combined for three more RBIs to secure the victory.
Bejian's performance stood out, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a key double, while Allee-Press contributed two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Rhodes' aggressive baserunning and solid defense complemented their balanced offense, while Dudley's poise on the mound kept Sewanee from mounting a comeback.
Game 2
Rhodes wasted no time asserting control, scoring three runs in the first inning. Harper Allee-Press delivered a two-run double, driving in Campbell Smith and Savannah Russell. Katie Bejian followed with another double, plating Allee-Press for a 3-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the second inning, with Emma Caplinger smashing a two-run double to score Smith and Jasmyn Stanley, both unearned due to Hendrix errors.
Taylor Petty was stellar on the mound for Rhodes, pitching a complete game and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five. She effectively stifled Hendrix's offense, with their lone run coming in the fifth inning.
Allee-Press's bat stood out with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, a triple, and two RBIs, while Smith and Russell each contributed two runs.
With this victory, Rhodes secures a spot in the SAA Tournament semi-final, carrying momentum and confidence into the next game against #2 Millsaps.
Game 3
Rhodes College saw their season come to a close in the SAA semifinals with a 10-2 loss to #2 Millsaps. The Lynx faced a formidable opponent as Millsaps' offense surged, highlighted by E. Sears' three-run homer during a five-run fifth inning.
Despite the uphill battle, Rhodes showed resilience. Talia Travis delivered a key moment in the sixth inning with a two-RBI double, bringing home Cam Ferguson and Katie Bejian. Travis and Bejian led the Lynx offense, each contributing multiple hits to the effort. However, Millsaps' pitcher, H. Peterson, kept the Lynx in check, throwing a complete game and allowing just two earned runs.
Rhodes struggled defensively, committing three errors that contributed to unearned runs. Emma Caplinger took the loss, pitching four innings and allowing five earned runs before being relieved by Emily Pertuit and Addie Nickelson.
While the result was not in their favor, Rhodes demonstrated their competitive spirit throughout the season, fighting hard until the final out. The team can look ahead with optimism, building on this year's experience as they prepare for future campaigns.
