Ole Miss softball dropped their opening games to start conference play against No. 4 Alabama Friday in a doubleheader.
Ole Miss dropped their first two SEC games of the season Friday night, losing 5-3 in the first game, and 13-2 in the second game against the Crimson Tide.
All roads lead back to Oklahoma city for Ole Miss softball head coach Jamie Trachsel and her team’s challenge this season, may be even harder than last year.
No. 4 Alabama traveled to Oxford Friday, to start a three game series against the Rebels, but with caution for weather, the Rebels and Crimson Tide had to move Saturday’s game to Friday night.
Ole Miss came into the game riding high, winning back-to-back games against UT Martin, Ole Miss seemingly had found their stride as conference play approached. The Crimson Tide wavered no doubt, proving themselves to be one of the best teams in the country though sitting undefeated on the season at 20-0.
Emilee Boyer would get the start for Ole Miss for game one, Boyer the Division II national player of the year last season, came in with lofty expectations to her name.
Alabama seized control throughout the game, as Boyer allowed four of the Crimson Tide’s five runs, and struggled to find the strike zone throughout the majority of the game.
Both teams would find the scoreboard in the second inning, as Lauren Johnson launched a two-run home run for Alabama at the top of the inning, and Taylor Roman would answer at the bottom of the inning for the Rebels. A grueling third inning for Boyer would see the Rebels surrender the lead, and Alabama would never look back.
Lilly Whitten would come into the game for Ole Miss in the fifth inning, and walked the frist two runners giving Alabama a 5-3 lead.
Jocelyn Briski remained in control throughout the majority of the game, allowing just one run after the second inning. Briski completed all seven innings with seven strikeouts, marquee for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide have completed 12 shutouts this season. Ole Miss showed efforts of resiliency, but could never find the lead against Briski, and also struggled to find answers for Brooke Wells offensive abilities.
Cassie Reasner would be the biggest bright spot for Ole Miss in game one, finishing the game 2-2, providing a big spark for the Rebel’s offense. Alabama would take game one in a competitive effort winning 5-3, but Ole Miss felt that had a hand in the fight with game two approaching.
GAME TWO
Things started about the same for Ole Miss in game two, as they did game one, but this time, Alabama wouldn’t take their foot’s off the gas.
Kyra Acock got the start on the circle for the Rebel’s in game two, and struggled from the start. Aycock would find herself with the bases loaded in the first inning after three walks, and Alabama began to dominate.
Etching a two run lead in the first inning, Aycock would be replaced by Whitten in the second inning, and the attack wouldn’t stop. Bama would take six point lead after two innings, after a three-run home run from Ana Roman.
Brooke Wells continued putting on a show, and not to the favor of Ole Miss fans. Wells went 6 for 6 from the plate in the doubleheader, with a home run and four RBIs. Ole Miss could not find any answer for the Crimson Tide’s superstar, and three innings, the deficit for Ole Miss would sit at eight. Things looked bad at every area for Ole Miss, hardly squandering any real piece of energy throughout the entire game.
The only ounce of life from Ole Miss came in the third inning, as Percy Llamas drove in a RBI, giving Ole Miss two runs, cutting the deficit to 9-2.Freshman Vic Moten took control for Alabama in the second game, with Kaitlyn Pallozzi getting the win after appearing in the third inning. Ole Miss would end the game in six innings, winning 13-2 and taking a commanding 2-0 series lead,
Ole Miss will get a day off because of the weather, and will face Alabama in the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.