Ole Miss softball in do-or-die situation

The Ole Miss softball seniors

The Ole Miss softball team is in a do-or-die situation today at the NCAA Tournament in Lubbock, Texas, The Rebels are faced with a scenario of having to defeat the host and No. 11 national seed Texas Tech Red Raiders twice to stay alive and advance to a Super Regional.

First pitch to what is hopefully a doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

The two teams met Saturday in wild one. Ole Miss built an 8-0 lead before the Red Raiders collapsed it with an eight-run bottom of the seventh. The Rebels regained the lead 9-8 in the eighth before Tech scored two in the bottom of the frame to beat them and send them into an elimination game late Saturday night versus Boston University. The Rebels won that game 9-4 to stay alive.

Emilee Boyer

PITCHING

Injuries and sort have reduced the Ole Miss pitching staff to just three arms. They are Emilee Boyer, Kyra Aycock and Lilly Whitten. All three have seen substantial action in the tournament.

Pitching is no doubt the Rebels’ major concern tonight. The offensive production has been there in every game they’ve played in the tourney. Ole Miss even knocked out Texas Tech star NiJaree Canady in Saturday’s meeting.

Who will the Rebels throw tonight? Our guess is that Boyer gives them the best chance. She had a two-hitter working heading into the bottom of the seventh Saturday before the Texas heat got to her. But it is honestly all hands on deck. You either do or die in this one.

Who will the Red Raiders throw? Ole Miss has yet to see Kaitlyn Terry, a two-way player who is special in the circle. Terry produced a regular season with a record of 22-1 and holds a 1.30 ERA (118.1 IP), while also hitting .471 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI.

The right side of the Rebel infield, second baseman Mackenzie Pickens and first baseman Persy Llamas.

SUPER REGIONAL PAIRING

The Lubbock Regional is paired with the Gainesville Regional in the Super Regional Round. The Florida Gators play Georgia Tech today at noon, needing only one win to advance to face the winner of the Lubbock Regional.

THE NCAA TOURNAMENT (all times Eastern)

• • Tuscaloosa Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 1 Alabama 8, USC Upstate 0
      • Game 2: Belmont 2, No. 8 Southeastern Louisiana 0
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 1 Alabama 3, Belmont 0
      • Game 4: USC Upstate 5, No. 8 Southeastern Louisiana 4
        • Southeastern Louisiana eliminated
      • Game 5: USC Upstate 10, Belmont 1
        • Belmont eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 1 p.m. | No. 1 Alabama vs. USC Upstate | SECN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 3:30 p.m. | No. 1 Alabama vs. USC Upstate
  • Baton Rouge Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 5 Virginia Tech 6, South Alabama 0
      • Game 2: No. 4 LSU 8, Akron 0 (6 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 4 LSU 8, No. 5 Virginia Tech 0 (6 innings) 
      • Game 4: Akron 1, South Alabama 0 (8 innings)
        • South Alabama eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 5 Virginia Tech 7, Akron 6 
        • Akron eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 2 p.m. | No. 4 LSU vs. No. 5 Virginia Tech | ESPN+
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | No. 4 LSU vs. No. 5 Virginia Tech
  • Tallahassee Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1:  Stetson 8, No. 3 Florida State 3 
      • Game 2: No. 6 UCF 2, vs. Jacksonville State 1 (8 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 6 UCF 10, Stetson 1 (5 innings) 
      • Game 4: No. 3 Florida State 11, Jacksonville State 0 (5 innings)
        • Jacksonville State eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 3 Florida State 11, Stetson 3
        • Stetson eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 12 p.m. | No. 6 UCF vs. No. 3 Florida State | ESPN+
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | No. 6 UCF vs. No. 3 Florida State
  • Los Angeles Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 7 South Carolina 7, Cal State Fullerton 4
      • Game 2: No. 2 UCLA 12, Cal Baptist 11
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 2 UCLA 7, No. 7 South Carolina 2
      • Game 4: Cal State Fullerton 3, Cal Baptist 2
        • Cal Baptist eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 7 South Carolina 4, Cal State Fullerton 2
        • Cal State Fullerton eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 7:30 p.m. | No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 South Carolina | ESPN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 10 p.m. | No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 South Carolina
  • Fayetteville Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 2 Arkansas 8, Fordham 0 (6 innings)
      • Game 2: South Florida 3, No. 7 Washington 1
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 2 Arkansas 9, South Florida 1 (6 innings)
      • Game 4: No. 7 Washington 5, Fordham 2
        • Fordham eliminated
      • Game 5: South Florida 6, No. 7 Washington 4
        • Washington eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 2 p.m. | No. 2 Arkansas vs. South Florida | ESPN+
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | No. 2 Arkansas vs. South Florida
  • Durham Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 3 Duke 10, Howard 1
      • Game 2: No. 6 Arizona 7, Marshall 5
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 6 Arizona 10, No. 3 Duke 1 (5 innings)
      • Game 4: Marshall 4, Howard 2
        • Howard eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 3 Duke 11, Marshall 1 
        • Marshall eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 12 p.m. | No. 6 Arizona vs. No. 3 Duke | ACCN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | No. 6 Arizona vs. No. 3 Duke 5 
  • Stillwater Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 5 Stanford 8, Princeton 2
      • Game 2: No. 4 Oklahoma State 16, Eastern Illinois 0 (5 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 4 Oklahoma State 7, No. 5 Stanford 2 
      • Game 4: Princeton 2, Eastern Illinois 1
        • Eastern Illinois eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 5 Stanford 13, Princeton 5
        • Princeton eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 4 p.m. | No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Stanford | ESPN+
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 6:30 p.m. | No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Stanford
  • Lincoln Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: Grand Canyon 5, No. 8 Louisville 1
      • Game 2: No. 1 Nebraska 4, South Dakota 1
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 1 Nebraska 2, Grand Canyon 0 
      • Game 4: South Dakota 4, No. 8 Louisville 2
        • Louisville eliminated
      • Game 5: Grand Canyon 5, South Dakota 4
        • South Dakota eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 3 p.m. | No. 1 Nebraska vs. Grand Canyon | ESPN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | No. 1 Nebraska vs. Grand Canyon
  • Norman Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 1 Oklahoma 11, Binghamton 0 (5 innings)
      • Game 2: No. 8 Kansas 1, Michigan 0 (8 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3:  No. 1 Oklahoma 9, No. 8 Kansas 0 (5 innings)
      • Game 4: Michigan 6, Binghamton 0
        • Binghamton eliminated
      • Game 5: Michigan 12, No. 8 Kansas 10
        • Kansas eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 3 p.m. | No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Michigan | SECN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Michigan
  • Eugene Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 5 Mississippi State 3, Saint Mary’s 2 (8 innings)
      • Game 2: No. 4 Oregon 5, Idaho State 1
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 5 Mississippi State 4, No. 4 Oregon 0
      • Game 4: Saint Mary’s 3, Idaho State 1
        • Idaho State eliminated
      • Game 5: Saint Mary’s 5, Oregon 4
        • Oregon eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 7:30 p.m. | No. 5 Mississippi State vs. Saint Mary’s (CA) | ESPNU
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 10 p.m. | No. 5 Mississippi State vs. Saint Mary’s (CA)
  • Lubbock Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 6 Ole Miss 8, Boston U. 6
      • Game 2: No. 3 Texas Tech 10, Marist 3
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 3 Texas Tech 10, No. 6 Ole Miss 9 (8 innings)
      • Game 4: Boston U. 10, Marist 2
        • Marist eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 6 Ole Miss 9, Boston U. 4
        • Boston U. eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 4 p.m. | No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Ole Miss | ESPN2
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 6:30 p.m. | No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
  • Gainesville Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 2 Florida 12, Florida A&M 0 (5 innings) 
      • Game 2: Georgia Tech 2, No. 7 Texas State 1
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 2 Florida 8, Georgia Tech 0 
      • Game 4: No. 7 Texas State 6, Florida A&M 0 
        • Florida A&M eliminated
      • Game 5: Georgia Tech 4, No. 7 Texas State 1
        • Texas State eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 12 p.m. | No. 2 Florida vs. Georgia Tech | ESPN+
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | No. 2 Florida vs. Georgia Tech
  • Knoxville Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 2 Tennessee 3, Northern Kentucky 1
      • Game 2: No. 7 Virginia 8, Indiana 7 (8 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 2 Tennessee 7, No. 7 Virginia 5
      • Game 4: Indiana 8, Northern Kentucky 0 (5 innings)
        • Northern Kentucky eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 7 Virginia 9, Indiana 7
        • Indiana eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 2 p.m. | No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Virginia | ESPN2
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Virginia
  • Athens Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: UNC Greensboro 1, No. 6 Clemson 0
      • Game 2: No. 3 Georgia 5, College of Charleston 2
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 3 Georgia 8, UNC Greensboro 0 (5 innings) 
      • Game 4: No. 6 Clemson 3, College of Charleston 1
        • College of Charleston eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 6 Clemson 4, UNC Greensboro 1
        • UNC Greensboro eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 12 p.m. | No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Clemson | ESPN2
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Clemson
  • College Station Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 4 Texas A&M 17, UConn 3
      • Game 2: No. 5 Arizona State 8, vs. McNeese 0 (5 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 5 Arizona State 4, No. 4 Texas A&M 3
      • Game 4: UConn 5, McNeese 1
        • McNeese eliminated
      • Game 5: No. 4 Texas A&M 10, UConn 3
        • UConn eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 3 p.m. | No. 5 Arizona State vs. No. 4 Texas A&M | ABC
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | No. 5 Arizona State vs. No. 4 Texas A&M 
  • Austin Regional
    • May 15
      • Game 1: No. 8 Wisconsin 2, Baylor 1 (9 innings)
      • Game 2: No. 1 Texas 9, Wagner 1 (5 innings)
    • May 16
      • Game 3: No. 1 Texas 9, No. 8 Wisconsin 0 (6 innings) 
      • Game 4: Baylor 9, Wagner 0 (5 innings)
        • Wagner eliminated
      • Game 5: Baylor 5, No. 8 Wisconsin 2
        • Wisconsin eliminated
    • May 17
      • Game 6: 1 p.m. | No. 1 Texas vs. Baylor | ESPN
      • Game 7 (if necessary): 3:30 p.m. | No. 1 Texas vs. Baylor 
• Super regionals: Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24 | TBA host sites
• Women’s College World Series: May 28 – June 4/5 | Devon Park in Oklahoma City, OK
  • Game 1 | 12 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN
  • Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN
  • Game 3 | 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN2
  • Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN2
  • Game 5 | 7 p.m. Friday, May 29 on ESPN2
  • Game 6 | 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 29 on ESPN2
  • Game 7 | 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30 on ABC
  • Game 8 | 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 on ESPN
  • Game 9 | 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31 on ABC
  • Game 10 | 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 on ESPN2
  • Game 11 | 12 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN
  • Game 12 | 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN (if necessary)
  • Game 13 | 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN2
  • Game 14 | 9:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN2 (if necessary)
  • Championship Series Game 1 | 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 on ESPN
  • Championship Series Game 2 | 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4 on ESPN
  • Championship Series Game 3 | 8 p.m. Friday, June 5 on ESPN (if necessary)