Ole Miss softball clinched an exciting SEC series win over No. 6 Florida this weekend. Ole Miss had lost 7 of its last 8 previous games against the Gators going into this weekend, but the team was able to win its first series against Florida since 2007.
Game one of the series was the second longest game in the history of Ole Miss softball, lasting 15 innings. Rebel pitcher Molly Jacobsen went neck and neck with Gator pitcher Kelly Barnhill.
The Rebels were down 0-2 going into the fifth inning and tied it at 2-2 thanks to a 2 RBI single.
Ole Miss outfielder Kylan Becker bats against Pittsburg on March 2. The Rebels will play a series against University of Florida at home this weekend. File photo by Megan Suttles
from Kylan Becker. The Rebel bats did not produce many hits the rest of the game. Jacobsen came in to pitch in the sixth inning and silenced Gator bats until she gave up the game-winning home run to Kendyl Lindaman for the Gators in the 15th inning.
Ole Miss tried to rally in the bottom of the 15th but fell short, losing the game 2-5. Jacobsen was on a streak of scoreless innings before giving up the winning runs. She also struck out 11 batters in 10 innings, tying her career high.
The Rebels looked to tie the series up on Saturday. Florida turned to Barnhill once again to close out the game. Going into the bottom of the seventh, Ole Miss was down by one. The Rebels found themselves with the bases loaded and no outs. Barnhill struck out the next two Rebels to bring up Autumn Gillespie.
Gillespie was hit by the first pitch to bring in the tying run. With two outs and the bases loaded, Abbey Latham stepped up to the plate and hit the shot of her life. Latham hit a grand slam to win the game 8-4 and set up the rubber match on Sunday.
Latham continued her hot streak on Sunday and hit a solo shot to left field in the first inning. Florida got on the board in the top of the third inning with an RBI single by Hannah Adams. The Rebels responded in the bottom of the third with a solo home run from Mikayla Allee to take the lead again at 2-1.
Becker was next to bat and bunted the first pitch to get on base. After Becker’s stealing second, a passed ball and an error from the Gators, Becker made her way home to give the Rebels a 3-1 lead. Florida posed threats in the remaining four innings, but the Rebel defense held strong to keep the Gators off the board and clinch the series.
Becker extended her hitting streak to 11 games this weekend. The senior went 7-12 against Florida with 4 runs scored and 3 RBIs.
The Rebels head to Nashville next for a midweek matchup against Belmont on Tuesday. They will then travel to Lexington for their SEC series against Kentucky next weekend.
