The Ole Miss softball team split a doubleheader with in-state foe Southern Miss Wednesday, dropping game one, 7-4, and game two, 3-0. The Rebels host the Red and Blue Classic beginning Friday.
GAME ONE: SOUTHERN MISS 7, OLE MISS 4
The Lady Rebel softball had a tough start against in-state rival Southern Miss in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles (6-8) defeated Ole Miss (4-8), 7-4.
The Golden Eagles scored three runs in the first inning before adding two more in the second. Ole Miss chipped away at the lead in their half of the second, scoring two runs on a two-run triple off the bat of freshman second baseman Melina Preciado, but Southern Miss came back with two more runs in the third.
“The game was really frustrating,” head coach Windy Thees said. “We had some strange calls from the umpire, and the zone was really tight.”
Junior Carly Hummel got the start for Ole Miss, but she lasted just 1/3 of an inning before Thees brought in freshman Madi Osias, who pitched the rest of the contest.
“We had to make a switch really quick, and we went to Madi Osias who had warmed up all the way before the game, but I don’t think she really hit her stride until the third inning,” Thees said.
GAME TWO: OLE MISS 3, SOUTHERN MISS 0
The Ole Miss softball team bounced back in the second game of the doubleheader Wednesday against Southern Miss, as the Rebels (5-8) went on to a 3-0 shutout win over the Golden Eagles (6-9).
“I told the girls they need to get in touch with their angry side,” head coach Windy Thees said. “They need to get mad about losing. They need to attack the frustration and not let it build in them, but take it out on the other team.”
Senior pitcher Erinn Jayjohn got the message. The Justin, Texas native was on the winning end of a pitchers’ duel, tossing a complete game shutout, giving up seven hits to go along with five strikeouts and a walk.
“Defense was behind me, and it was a good game,” Jayjohn said. “As a senior, I wanted to lead and come out. It was a good time. I’m glad my team had my back, and we hit today, so it was good.”
Thees was certainly impressed with Jayjohn, who picked up her first win of the season.
“Erin has a lot of attitude on the mound,” Thees said. “She was really confident and helped our youngsters on the field by showing them how they were supposed to act out there.”
Southern Miss’ freshman pitcher Kaitlin Wilson was also dealing on the mound, which made it tough for the Lady Rebels to get the bats going.
However, Ole Miss managed to scratch across a run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings on a RBI single from junior second baseman Marina Parra and a home run from junior center fielder R.T. Cantillo as well as an error on the Golden Eagles in the sixth.
Ole Miss will now look to prepare for the Red and Blue Classic this weekend as they will host McNeese State, Tennessee-Martin, Drake, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the tournament.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss softball, follow @allison_slusher and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
