LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 14 Ole Miss softball program erased a three-run deficit to secure game two in a 6-4 decision over Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at John Crupp Stadium.
The Rebels (26-5, 3-2 SEC) used a sixth-inning surge that was kickstarted by a Lexie Bradyhome run, to rally past the Wildcats (20-11, 4-4 SEC). Aliyah Binford threw five innings, allowing three runs and striking out four, while Miali Guachino recorded a two-inning save, striking out two.
The Wildcats opened the game with momentum, driving in the game's first run on an RBI double in the first inning. The lead would increase in the second inning, as the Wildcats found life with a pair of two out, RBI base hits to lead 3-0.
However, Binford would settle in from there, opening the third inning with a strikeout and generating two quick groundouts for a scoreless frame.
The Rebels began to chip away, as they reached on an error to set up Brady. The slugger continued her red-hot month of March, lacing a two-run home run to cut the lead to 3-2. Mackenzie Pickens put more pressure on the Wildcats with a single and a steal, but was stranded at second base.
Binford continued to hold the Wildcats in check and gave her team a chance, holding them to just two hits and adding another strikeout. That bought her offense time, as they clicked in the sixth inning.
Lair Beautae led off the frame with a double and Taylor Strain stepped in to pinch run. Strain advanced to third base on a fly out and was brought home on a fielding error by the Wildcats shortstop to make it 3-3. Brady stepped in and drew a walk and both runners would advance on a double steal to set up Pickens. The freshman delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI fielder's choice, making it 4-3.
Jaden Pone helped create some additional breathing room with a two-run single in the very next at-bat, increasing the lead to 6-3. From there, the Rebels would turn to Guachino out of the bullpen.
The freshman stepped into her first SEC save situation and calmly generated a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth inning that was punctuated by a strikeout. The Wildcats put some pressure on Guachino in the seventh as Kentucky's Madyson Clark tripled and they brought her home on the next play to cut it to 6-4. However, Guachino battled back and struck out the final batter to secure the win.
Ole Miss is back in action for the finale against Kentucky on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT, after the game was moved up to avoid inclement weather later in the day. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
The Rebels (26-5, 3-2 SEC) used a sixth-inning surge that was kickstarted by a Lexie Bradyhome run, to rally past the Wildcats (20-11, 4-4 SEC). Aliyah Binford threw five innings, allowing three runs and striking out four, while Miali Guachino recorded a two-inning save, striking out two.
The Wildcats opened the game with momentum, driving in the game's first run on an RBI double in the first inning. The lead would increase in the second inning, as the Wildcats found life with a pair of two out, RBI base hits to lead 3-0.
However, Binford would settle in from there, opening the third inning with a strikeout and generating two quick groundouts for a scoreless frame.
The Rebels began to chip away, as they reached on an error to set up Brady. The slugger continued her red-hot month of March, lacing a two-run home run to cut the lead to 3-2. Mackenzie Pickens put more pressure on the Wildcats with a single and a steal, but was stranded at second base.
Binford continued to hold the Wildcats in check and gave her team a chance, holding them to just two hits and adding another strikeout. That bought her offense time, as they clicked in the sixth inning.
Lair Beautae led off the frame with a double and Taylor Strain stepped in to pinch run. Strain advanced to third base on a fly out and was brought home on a fielding error by the Wildcats shortstop to make it 3-3. Brady stepped in and drew a walk and both runners would advance on a double steal to set up Pickens. The freshman delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI fielder's choice, making it 4-3.
Jaden Pone helped create some additional breathing room with a two-run single in the very next at-bat, increasing the lead to 6-3. From there, the Rebels would turn to Guachino out of the bullpen.
The freshman stepped into her first SEC save situation and calmly generated a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth inning that was punctuated by a strikeout. The Wildcats put some pressure on Guachino in the seventh as Kentucky's Madyson Clark tripled and they brought her home on the next play to cut it to 6-4. However, Guachino battled back and struck out the final batter to secure the win.
Ole Miss is back in action for the finale against Kentucky on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT, after the game was moved up to avoid inclement weather later in the day. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
