OXFORD, Miss. – A seven-run sixth inning powered the No. 25 Ole Miss softball program past No. 10 Arkansas, defeating the Razorbacks, 9-1 in six innings to open SEC play at the Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
Lexie Brady and Persy Llamas led the offense for the Rebels (19-3, 1-0 SEC), combining for five RBI in the sixth inning. Miali Guachino earned the win, throwing a complete six innings and striking out five Razorbacks (19-2, 0-1 SEC).
With the six-inning win, it’s the first time that Ole Miss has defeated a top-10 opponent via the run-rule in program history. It’s also the first run-rule victory for the Rebels in SEC play since 2021.
Small ball and defense were the flashpoints early in this game, as the Rebels were the first to strike. Singles by Taylor Malvin and Aliyah Binford put runners on and Malvin would advance to third on a throwing error. The Rebels dialed up a double steal, with Malvin successfully coming home for a 1-0 lead.
The Razorbacks responded with a run in the second inning, via a single, hit-by-pitch, error and sacrifice fly. However, both sides settled in with a scoreless third inning.
Arkansas put pressure on Guachino in the fourth inning, as back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases. Needing a response, Guachino earned an emphatic punch out of the final batter to strand three runners.
Mackenzie Pickens helped the Rebels go ahead in the fourth inning, opening with a leadoff walk. Pickens successfully advanced to second on a wild pitch, but took an extra base after an errant throw to second. That was more than enough for Lair Beautae, who lined out to left and drove home Pickens for a 2-1 lead.
The Razorbacks pushed for a rally in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases with one out. Guachino remained calm, generating a lineout before a terrific stop on a grounder by Pickens prevented any runs from coming home.
Llamas opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a single, before Brady stepped to the plate. The Rebels home run leader made no mistake on a 1-2 pitch, lacing a two-run blast to left field to take a 4-1 lead. Brady’s home run opened the flood gates, as Pickens singled and Beautae walked, before Addison Duke drove home two with a double, making it 6-1.
After Arkansas moved on to their third pitcher of the inning, the Rebels reloaded the bases and Llamas returned for her second at-bat of the inning. The freshman jumped on a mistake, lacing a double to right field, which cleared the bases and secured the run rule win.
Ole Miss is back in action for game two against the No. 10 Razorbacks on Saturday, facing off at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
Lexie Brady and Persy Llamas led the offense for the Rebels (19-3, 1-0 SEC), combining for five RBI in the sixth inning. Miali Guachino earned the win, throwing a complete six innings and striking out five Razorbacks (19-2, 0-1 SEC).
With the six-inning win, it’s the first time that Ole Miss has defeated a top-10 opponent via the run-rule in program history. It’s also the first run-rule victory for the Rebels in SEC play since 2021.
Small ball and defense were the flashpoints early in this game, as the Rebels were the first to strike. Singles by Taylor Malvin and Aliyah Binford put runners on and Malvin would advance to third on a throwing error. The Rebels dialed up a double steal, with Malvin successfully coming home for a 1-0 lead.
The Razorbacks responded with a run in the second inning, via a single, hit-by-pitch, error and sacrifice fly. However, both sides settled in with a scoreless third inning.
Arkansas put pressure on Guachino in the fourth inning, as back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases. Needing a response, Guachino earned an emphatic punch out of the final batter to strand three runners.
Mackenzie Pickens helped the Rebels go ahead in the fourth inning, opening with a leadoff walk. Pickens successfully advanced to second on a wild pitch, but took an extra base after an errant throw to second. That was more than enough for Lair Beautae, who lined out to left and drove home Pickens for a 2-1 lead.
The Razorbacks pushed for a rally in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases with one out. Guachino remained calm, generating a lineout before a terrific stop on a grounder by Pickens prevented any runs from coming home.
Llamas opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a single, before Brady stepped to the plate. The Rebels home run leader made no mistake on a 1-2 pitch, lacing a two-run blast to left field to take a 4-1 lead. Brady’s home run opened the flood gates, as Pickens singled and Beautae walked, before Addison Duke drove home two with a double, making it 6-1.
After Arkansas moved on to their third pitcher of the inning, the Rebels reloaded the bases and Llamas returned for her second at-bat of the inning. The freshman jumped on a mistake, lacing a double to right field, which cleared the bases and secured the run rule win.
Ole Miss is back in action for game two against the No. 10 Razorbacks on Saturday, facing off at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
