attention, please

Millsaps is on its way to San Antonio today for an always compelling series against Trinity. Regardless of the sport, something interesting is bound to happen when these Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rivals get together. This weekend’s baseball series — single games Saturday and Sunday — matches teams tied for first in the SCAC West at 6-1. “We’re heading into the lion’s den,” Millsaps coach Jim Page said. “But it’s always fun playing those guys. If you’re not looking forward to a game against Trinity, you shouldn’t be doing this.” Page’s Majors are 11-5 overall, which has the coach a little disappointed. “We really haven’t played well yet,” he said. “You gotta think that when we start to play better, maybe it’ll be something special.” He has no complaints about the pitching. The staff has a 3.60 ERA. No. 1 starter Aaron Williams is 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA, and fifth-year senior Jason Riggins has been a revelation as a utility arm, posting a 2-0 record, one save and a 1.26 ERA in six appearances. “He’s really been a critical factor,” Page said. Defense let the Majors down in a 3-2 home loss to Huntingdon on Wednesday, but Page feels OK about the gloves. It’s the bats that need to wake up. The Majors are hitting just .287 overall with the new, toned-down sticks. Senior Will Hawkins is raking at a cool .464 clip, but many are scuffling. Page has always liked to play aggressively on the bases, and that tactic is paying off in a big way this spring. The team has 52 stolen bases, led by Hawkins with 14. Six players have four or more steals. “Seven of the nine in our lineup are a real threat to steal,” Page said. The running game could loom large against Trinity, which sports a 17-2 record and, like Millsaps, has designs on an NCAA Division III Tournament bid.