The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Open SEC Play Against No. 19 South Carolina
3/1/2001 | Softball
March 1, 2001
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss softball team opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend with a three-game series with No. 19 South Carolina at Ole Miss Softball Complex. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. (CT), while Sunday's finale is set for 11 a.m.
The Rebels (8-9) are fresh off a split of two games at the OSU Cowgirl Classic, defeating Creighton, 3-2, and falling to host Oklahoma State, 6-0. The eight-inning win over Creighton was the Rebels' third straight extra-inning game and the fourth consecutive winning decision for Jennifer Hughes, who set a school record for single-game strikeouts with 14.
After beginning the year 1-5, Ole Miss has won seven of its last 11, including a 6-3 mark at home. The Rebels are 0-1 against ranked foes this season, falling to No. 17 Cal-State Fullerton, 9-0, on Feb. 4.
South Carolina is 12-8-1 on the season and coming off some impressive wins in the NFCA Leadoff Classic last weekend. The Gamecocks handed defending national champion and third-ranked Oklahoma its first loss of the season, 4-0, behind a 15-strikeout performance from Megan Matthews. The reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week, Matthews also earned the save in a 3-2 win over No. 4 Washington.
The Rebels trail the all-time series with Carolina, 1-8, but earned a split in their doubleheader last year in Columbia. Holly Burris tossed a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory over then 17th-ranked USC.
