Courtney Syrett runs to home base after hitting her first home run of the season during the softball game against Alcorn State Tuesday (DM Photo | Kayla Beatty)
The Ole Miss softball team swept a doubleheader against Alcorn State Tuesday evening at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
“We played as well as we could play tonight,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Smith said. “We swung the bats well. I was proud of what we did. It’s two more wins for our program, and we’re just going to keep taking it one day at a time.”
Game 1: Ole Miss 18, Alcorn State 3 (5)
The Rebels jumped on the Lady Braves and didn’t look back. They scored four runs in the first inning, eight in the second, two in the third and four in the fourth.
The Rebels hit three home runs in game one. Senior third baseman Allison Brown hit a grand slam to deep left field in the second inning, her seventh home run of the season. Sophomore designated hitter Courtney Syrett added a two-run shot later in the inning, her first of the season. Senior pitcher Lauren Lindsey capped the Rebels scoring with a homer to deep right field in the fourth.
Brown also had a sacrifice fly in the first inning, giving her five RBI’s on the day.
Freshman first baseman Alex Schneider led the Rebels with three hits, including a double. She drove in a run and scored twice.
Ole Miss was also able to take advantage of 12 walks by the Alcorn State junior pitcher Sametria Collins.
Alcorn State got on the board in the fourth inning. With runners on first and second, sophomore third baseman for Alcorn State Jordenne Taylor singled to center. Rebel freshman center-fielder Paige McKinney overthrew the catcher, allowing a run to score. Alcorn State would add two more in the inning courtesy of a passed ball and an RBI groundout to second base.
Game 2: Ole Miss 17, Alcorn State 0 (5)
Once again, the Rebels scored early and often.
The Rebels opened their scoring in the second inning, pushing across nine runs on only four hits. Junior designated hitter Madi Osias scored on a wild pitch, and junior right-fielder Bri Payne scored on an RBI single from McKinney. Sophomore second baseman Alyssa Invergo then came home on a bases loaded walk, and McKinney scored on a passed ball. Freshman shortstop Grayce Majam scored after Brown was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Sophomore Miranda Strother scored after another bases loaded walk, this time to Osias. Payne then hit a single to center, scoring Brown and Schneider. Invergo capped the inning with a single up the middle which scored Osias.
Ole Miss added seven runs to their lead in the third. Schneider reached on a throwing error from the Alcorn State third baseman which scored Majam. Schneider and Strother then scored on a throwing error after freshman third baseman Emily Raspo reached on a fielder’s choice. Lindsey then singled to left, scoring Raspo. Senior catcher Jamie Morgan hit an RBI groundout to score freshman rightfielder Amilia McDonough and Majam doubled to score junior second baseman Haley Culley.
The Rebels added one more run in the fourth, with Schneider scoring on a single from Osias.
Freshman pitcher Kayla Landwehrmier shut down the Braves on the mound, allowing only two hits over five innings while striking out four.
Despite the blowout wins, Smith was able to keep his team focused.
“I brought them in after that first inning, and I told them to respect the game, and don’t take it for granted,” Smith said. “We need some energy and excitement out here.”
The Rebels will complete an 11-game homestand with a three game series against South Carolina beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
