HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Ole Miss softball program extended their winning streak to seven consecutive games, earning a sweep of James Madison and Louisiana Tech on the final day of the Rocket City Softball Showcase.
The Rebels (12-3, 0-0 SEC) opened the day with a 6-4 win over James Madison (2-7, 0-0 Sun Belt) at Toyota Field, before heading down the road to the UAH Charger Park, where they downed Louisiana Tech (7-7, 0-0 CUSA), 8-3.
GAME ONE | Ole Miss 6, James Madison 4
Right out of the gate, the Rebels came out swinging and built a first inning lead. A pair of singles by Taylor Malvin and Jaden Pone set up the freshman Persy Llamas. Llamas uncorked on a pitch and blasted a three-run home run to right field for an early advantage.
However, the Dukes put up a strong response in the second inning and struck for four runs to take the lead. While the Rebels loaded the bases and didn’t score in their half of the second inning, they got their response in the third. A walk by Llamas and a groundout put her in scoring position and she would come home on a throwing error to tie the game at 4-4.
After a difficult second inning, Brianna Lopez settled in to the circle nicely and held the Dukes at bay. Lopez struck out four through the first five innings and gave the Rebels a shot to go ahead.
The Rebels did just that in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Taylor Roman and Mackenzie Pickens singled to eventually set up runners at second and third. Jamie Mackay put the Rebels ahead with an RBI sacrifice fly, before Pickens stole third base and came home on an error to make it 6-4.
The veteran Lopez remained composed and closed out the game for her team, allowing only one baserunner on a walk and struck out the final batter for the victory.
GAME TWO | Ole Miss 8, Louisiana Tech 3
After a fast start in game one, the Rebels repeated the trend in the second game of the day. Despite an early run for the Bulldogs, the Rebels quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning.
A drawn hit-by-pitch from Malvin, a walk by Aliyah Binford and a ricocheted grounder by Llamas would give Mackay an early RBI opportunity with two runners on. The junior did not disappoint, lacing an RBI single to center field to take the lead, 2-1. Pickens immediately extended the advantage with an RBI double, making it 3-1.
A two-run home run by Louisiana Tech would tie the game in the third inning, but the Rebels would not go away. Llamas drew a hit-by-pitch and Mackay doubled to set up Pickens. The freshman continued her huge day with a three-run home run to left center field to make it 6-3.
In the circle, freshman Miali Guachino delivered another vintage performance and would keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for the remainder of the afternoon, finishing a complete game allowing two earned runs and striking out seven.
For some extra insurance, Pickens recorded her fifth RBI of the day, driving in an RBI single in the fifth inning to make it 7-3. While she would not get a chance to hit for the cycle to end the game, Lexie Brady put the game away for her team with a solo home run in the sixth inning to make it 8-3.
Ole Miss now returns home to Oxford and is back in action on Wednesday, hosting McNeese at 6 p.m. CT for the home opener at the new Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
The Rebels (12-3, 0-0 SEC) opened the day with a 6-4 win over James Madison (2-7, 0-0 Sun Belt) at Toyota Field, before heading down the road to the UAH Charger Park, where they downed Louisiana Tech (7-7, 0-0 CUSA), 8-3.
GAME ONE | Ole Miss 6, James Madison 4
Right out of the gate, the Rebels came out swinging and built a first inning lead. A pair of singles by Taylor Malvin and Jaden Pone set up the freshman Persy Llamas. Llamas uncorked on a pitch and blasted a three-run home run to right field for an early advantage.
However, the Dukes put up a strong response in the second inning and struck for four runs to take the lead. While the Rebels loaded the bases and didn’t score in their half of the second inning, they got their response in the third. A walk by Llamas and a groundout put her in scoring position and she would come home on a throwing error to tie the game at 4-4.
After a difficult second inning, Brianna Lopez settled in to the circle nicely and held the Dukes at bay. Lopez struck out four through the first five innings and gave the Rebels a shot to go ahead.
The Rebels did just that in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Taylor Roman and Mackenzie Pickens singled to eventually set up runners at second and third. Jamie Mackay put the Rebels ahead with an RBI sacrifice fly, before Pickens stole third base and came home on an error to make it 6-4.
The veteran Lopez remained composed and closed out the game for her team, allowing only one baserunner on a walk and struck out the final batter for the victory.
GAME TWO | Ole Miss 8, Louisiana Tech 3
After a fast start in game one, the Rebels repeated the trend in the second game of the day. Despite an early run for the Bulldogs, the Rebels quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning.
A drawn hit-by-pitch from Malvin, a walk by Aliyah Binford and a ricocheted grounder by Llamas would give Mackay an early RBI opportunity with two runners on. The junior did not disappoint, lacing an RBI single to center field to take the lead, 2-1. Pickens immediately extended the advantage with an RBI double, making it 3-1.
A two-run home run by Louisiana Tech would tie the game in the third inning, but the Rebels would not go away. Llamas drew a hit-by-pitch and Mackay doubled to set up Pickens. The freshman continued her huge day with a three-run home run to left center field to make it 6-3.
In the circle, freshman Miali Guachino delivered another vintage performance and would keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for the remainder of the afternoon, finishing a complete game allowing two earned runs and striking out seven.
For some extra insurance, Pickens recorded her fifth RBI of the day, driving in an RBI single in the fifth inning to make it 7-3. While she would not get a chance to hit for the cycle to end the game, Lexie Brady put the game away for her team with a solo home run in the sixth inning to make it 8-3.
Ole Miss now returns home to Oxford and is back in action on Wednesday, hosting McNeese at 6 p.m. CT for the home opener at the new Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
