Jamie Trachsel and her Ole Miss softball program will look to throw off the blues created by being swept in a three-game SEC series last weekend against nationally-ranked Alabama when it travels to North Alabama today for a 5 p.m. CT start. The Crimson Tide rolled out of Oxford on Sunday having taken all three games over the Rebels.
While it may seem like just another midweek, Power 4-versus-Mid Major affair on the surface, this game sets up with intrigue. North Alabama brings in an impressive 17-4 record, while Ole Miss sits at 18-8.
SCOUTING NORTH ALABAMA
The North Alabama Lions continue to surge since arriving at the Division I level and are having one of its best season’s yet under head coach Ashley Cozart, who has guided the transition from Division II.
At 17-4, the Lions have found a number of ways to win, only dropping games to Troy, Lindenwood, Belmont and South Alabama as North Alabama is set for its final two midweeks before opening ASUN play against Central Arkansas.
Offensively, the Lions are a more powerful group than in 2025’s meeting and are led by Miami transfer Holly Merritt and returning junior Briley Dover. Merritt leads her side with eight home runs and 31 RBI on .424 hitting, while Dover leads the Lions in batting average at .465 with six home runs and 25 RBI.
The Lions are primarily led by returning senior Katie Simon and fifth-year lefty Alivia Wilken in the circle, who have seen the bulk of the action thus far. Simon is 7-0 with a 2.35 ERA (44.2 IP), while Wilken is 6-3 with a 2.83 ERA (47.0 IP) and 40 strikeouts.
North Alabama and Ole Miss have one common opponent in UT Martin, as the Lions earned an 8-4 victory over the Skyhawks on Feb. 22.
OLE MISS CLUBHOUSE NOTES
- Ole Miss hits the road following a 10-game homestand, competing in a Tuesday night showdown at North Alabama.
- The Rebels are making the first trip to Florence in program history. North Alabama is also returning to Oxford in April.
- Freshman Madi George has been the breakout star of the season thus far, hitting a sizzling .417 with a team-high seven home runs and 15 walks, while adding 23 RBI through the first 26 games of her career.
- Sophomore Persy Llamas remains scorching hot as well, hitting .430 through the first 26 games with five home runs and 26 RBI. Llamas leads the team with 37 hits.
- Taylor Roman remains red-hot for the Rebels, tallying an RBI single against No. 4 Alabama to extend her on-base streak to 12 straight games. It’s the longest streak by a Rebel this season and the longest of her career.
- Defense has become paramount for the Rebels, who are 12-1 when they don’t make an error, versus 6-7 when making one or more errors.
- In addition to a quick .375 start at the plate in SEC play, junior Cassie Reasner has rapidly improved on defense, leading the SEC in infield assists.
HOW TO WATCH
The game will be streamed via ESPN Plus. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.
SEC SOFTBALL STANDINGS
| conf | cpct | overall | opct | home | road | neutral | strk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Alabama | 3-0 | 1.000 | 23-0 | 1.000 | 11-0 | 7-0 | 5-0 | W23 |
 Tennessee | 3-0 | 1.000 | 23-0 | 1.000 | 9-0 | 1-0 | 13-0 | W23 |
 Florida | 3-0 | 1.000 | 26-1 | 0.963 | 15-0 | 3-0 | 8-1 | W5 |
 Texas | 3-0 | 1.000 | 22-1 | 0.957 | 10-0 | 6-0 | 6-1 | W20 |
 Arkansas | 2-1 | 0.667 | 22-2 | 0.917 | 13-1 | 3-0 | 6-1 | W3 |
 Auburn | 2-1 | 0.667 | 19-7 | 0.731 | 11-3 | 0-1 | 8-3 | W2 |
 Kentucky | 1-2 | 0.333 | 19-6 | 0.760 | 6-0 | 5-4 | 8-2 | L2 |
 Georgia | 1-2 | 0.333 | 19-7 | 0.731 | 13-4 | 1-2 | 5-1 | L2 |
 Mississippi State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 24-2 | 0.923 | 11-1 | 7-1 | 6-0 | W7 |
 Oklahoma | 0-0 | 0.000 | 24-2 | 0.923 | 10-0 | 6-1 | 8-1 | W13 |
 Texas A&M | 0-0 | 0.000 | 17-8 | 0.680 | 10-2 | 0-1 | 7-5 | L1 |
 LSU | 0-3 | 0.000 | 17-7 | 0.708 | 15-0 | 1-3 | 1-4 | L3 |
 Ole Miss | 0-3 | 0.000 | 18-8 | 0.692 | 8-3 | 2-2 | 8-3 | L3 |
 South Carolina | 0-3 | 0.000 | 15-9 | 0.625 | 12-6 | 1-0 | 2-3 | L3 |
 Missouri | 0-3 | 0.000 | 7-16 | 0.304 | 2-2 | 0-6 | 5-8 | L4 |