2013 Millsaps Majors
Head Coach: Jim Page (25th season)
Record: 38-14 (17-14)
Postseason: D3 College World Series (L. Ithaca College)
While the spotlight in Mississippi often shines brightest on Oxford, Starkville, and Hattiesburg, the 2013 Millsaps Majors carved their own historic path — not with scholarships or national media attention, but with grit, chemistry, and an unrelenting belief in themselves.
That season, Millsaps posted one of the finest campaigns in state baseball history, regardless of division. With veteran leadership, deep pitching, and a battle-tested lineup, the Majors stormed their way to 38 wins, a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) regular-season title, and a berth in the NCAA Division III College World Series — the first and only in school history. For a program with no scholarships, limited resources, and a modest ballpark just blocks from downtown, the 2013 team represented everything that makes college baseball special.
The Foundation: Head Coach Jim Page
The 2013 run didn’t happen by accident — it was the product of decades of culture-building by Head Coach Jim Page, who took over at his alma mater in 1989 and gradually built Millsaps into a DIII power in the South. That season marked his 25th year leading the program, and it became the crowning achievement of his already distinguished career.
Key Players:
- Keith Shumaker (RHP/INF) – The heartbeat of the team and a true two-way phenom. As a junior, Shumaker went 5-1 on the mound with a 2.40 ERA, while also batting .376 with 49 RBI. He delivered in every phase — starting big games, hitting in the heart of the lineup, and earning All-American honors and SCAC Player of the Year. Rarely has a single player shouldered more for a DIII team.
- Wes Perkins (C/1B) – The senior captain and emotional leader. Perkins hit .412 with 4 home runs and 59 RBI, serving as both a middle-of-the-order bat and the backbone of the defense behind the plate. His leadership was essential during the team’s tense regional run.
- Isaac Glenn (OF) – Hit .276 as a freshman in 51 games…Scored 41 runs while driving in 34, also stole 13 bases…Hit game-winning single in regional championship to send Majors to College World Series His speed and ability to get on base set the table all season.
Season Highlights:
- SAA Regular Season Dominance: Millsaps stormed to an 17-4 conference record, sweeping rivals like Sewanee, Oglethorpe, and nationally-ranked Birmingham Southern. The sweep over Trinity at home was especially significant — not only did it vault Millsaps into the Top 25 nationally, but it also marked a cultural shift in the SCAC. The Majors weren’t just a feel-good story — they were legitimate title contenders.
(The Majors after sweeping division rival Oglethorpe)
The Magical Postseason Run:
NCAA South Regional – Millington, TN:
In the 2013 NCAA DIII South Regional, Millsaps was considered a sleeper pick — not the favorite, but not to be overlooked. That changed quickly.
- Opening loss: The Majors beat lost their opening round Regional game to Salisbury. After battling back the next day against Methodist College, the Majors had to beat Salisbury twice to stay alive. Shumaker delivered a complete-game gem, and Glenn and Perkins powered the offense with multi-hit performances.
- The Regional Final – vs. Salisbury (May 18, 2013):
In a tense, winner-take-all battle against Salisbury, Millsaps edged out a 7-6 victory to capture the South Regional title. The final out sparked a dogpile near the mound in Millington — Millsaps was going to the College World Series.
DIII College World Series – Appleton, Wisconsin:
For the first time in program history, Millsaps found itself among the final eight in the nation. In Appleton, they faced Southern Maine and Ithaca College
- Game 1 – vs. Southern Maine:
The runner ups that season, jumped out early but it was a pitchers duel the rest of the way with the Majors coming up short in a 2-1 loss. - Game 2 – vs. Ithaca:
The elimination game was another tight game. Keith Shumacker pitched 6 strong innings but it was not enough as the Majors fell 5-2 to finish the season.
Legacy & Lasting Impact:
The 2013 Millsaps Majors stand as a monument to what’s possible when talent, leadership, and belief align. They won 38 games, swept top-10 opponents, and made it to the biggest stage in small college baseball.
- Keith Shumaker’s All-American season is still remembered as one of the best ever by a Mississippi college player, regardless of division.
- Coach Jim Page’s 25th season became his most celebrated, earning national praise and cementing his legacy.
- For DIII programs across the South, Millsaps became a blueprint: that Omaha may be for the big dogs, but Appleton is just as sacred.
In a state full of baseball royalty, the 2013 Majors didn’t just earn a seat at the table — they built their own chapter in Mississippi’s baseball story.
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