Allison Brown goes up to bat on Friday, April 10 against Georgia. DM Photo | Kayla Beatty
The Ole Miss softball team used a solid all-around effort to defeat Louisville 5-2 Saturday in a non-conference matchup at the complex. Unfavorable weather conditions led to the cancellation of the games scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
The Rebels improved to 26-19 on the season, while the Cardinals fell to 24-14.
“Today is what I’ve talked about all year,” Mike Smith, head coach, said. “When we put everything together, we play great softball, and that’s exactly what we did today. We got great defense, we got good timely hitting, we got great pitching in the circle. We played a great ballgame. That’s a great team over there in Louisville, this is a big win for us.”
The Rebels jumped on the Cardinals early, scoring two runs in the first inning off of Louisville sophomore pitcher Maryssa Becker. Freshman left-fielder Elantra Cox walked to lead off the inning, then stole second base. Sophomore centerfielder Miranda Strother then doubled down the left field line which scored Cox. Senior third baseman Allison Brown scored Strother with a single through the left side of the infield.
“We were aggressive, I think we had a great game plan against their number one pitcher,” Smith said. “Game plans are important, and our girls stuck to it.”
Louisville changed pitchers in the top of the second inning with freshman Shelby McCombs coming to the mound, but Ole Miss would add two more runs to their lead. Sophomore catcher Courtney Syrett led off the inning with a triple off the wall in right center then scored on an illegal pitch. Cox then used her speed to cause more problems for the Cardinals, reaching on an infield single and stealing her second base of the day. Junior designated hitter Natalie Martinez advanced Cox to third with a groundout, then Cox scored on a wild pitch to put the Rebels ahead 4-0.
Brown capped the scoring for Ole Miss, leading off the third inning with a home run to left field, her sixth of the season.
Junior Madi Osias and freshman Kayla Landwehrmier kept the Cardinal bats in check all game. Junior outfielder Brittany Sims led off the inning with a single, then senior third baseman Kayla Soles lined a home run over the centerfield fence to cut the lead to 5-2. Senior shortstop Whitney Arion then doubled to right center, but Osias would limit the damage. After a sacrifice bunt, she got a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the inning. She gave way to Landwehrmier in the sixth. Landwehrmier closed out the win and earned her second save of the season.
“Madi has really come into her own,” Smith said. “Kayla is like our little secret weapon. She did a great job today. I’m proud of what our pitchers have done. Sharon Palma, our pitching coach, has done an outstanding job with our staff.”
The Rebels will take on Alcorn State in a doubleheader Tuesday at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. The first game is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
