Softball Opens 2003 Season Tuesday with Home Doubleheader

Jan. 31, 2003

OXFORD, Miss. - Coming off its best year, Ole Miss now looks for even larger heights, as the Rebels open the 2003 softball season Tuesday with a home doubleheader against Jackson State. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. CST at Ole Miss Softball Complex.

Entering the program's seventh season, the Rebels have eyes firmly set on their first SEC Tournament berth. The club has reason for optimism with the majority of last year's record-setting squad coming back.

With an overall record of 25-29, Ole Miss recorded its highest single-season winning percentage, as one of 14 team records broken or tied in 2002. Seven starters and 11 letterwinners return from that team, while seven talented freshmen join the mix.

"We have a lot to look forward this year," said UM head coach Candi Letts, who is in her fifth season with the Rebels. "Obviously we're coming off a great season, and we have the core of that team returning. With the veterans we have coming back, we have a chance to be a real contender in the Southeastern Conference."

Heading the list of returnees is 2002 team MVP Leslie Day, who notched 10 wins and a 1.80 ERA a year ago. A native of Nesbit, Miss., Day and fellow senior righthander Lindsay Price (five wins, 2.91 ERA last year) are joined this season by touted freshman Dana Brill from Houston, Texas to comprise a formidable 2003 staff.

Offensively, Ole Miss experienced a power surge last year. After only 34 home runs in the program's first five years of existence, the Rebels blasted 26 last season alone, led by DeDe Justice. A sophomore catcher from Vero Beach, Fla., Justice matched the UM career homer mark with 11 in only her first year in the Red and Blue. She finished the campaign with a team-best .313 average and 28 RBI, while ranking among the SEC leaders in slugging (.585) and on-base (.420) percentages.

Justice and senior Phyllis Manley of Southaven give the Rebels experience and depth behind the plate.

Other contributors to the Ole Miss offensive attack are junior Florida natives Andrea Brahs and Desiree Layman, who each hammered four homers in 2002. Brahs, a first baseman, provided some key hits throughout the season and finished second in RBI with 24. Layman, a shortstop, totaled a team-high nine doubles while driving in 19 runs.

Also in the infield is sophomore Megan Kozar and freshmen Jordan Chitwood and Rebecca McIntire. The outfield features junior Britte Hardy along with a pair of Mississippi natives - sophomore Brooke Turner from Southaven and freshman Stacy McCommon from Amory.

Jackson State turned in a 30-23 mark a year ago and bring back nine letterwinners and six starters from that team. Ole Miss dominated last year's twin bill, outscoring the Lady Tigers, 32-1. In the game two 20-0 victory, the Rebels broke or tied UM single-game records for hits (20), RBI (18) and total bases (29), while also notching a record-tying ninth-straight win.

Tuesday's games are two of 24 on the Rebels' 2003 home slate. Following JSU, the Rebels will participate in four tournaments, including the Rebel/Easton Invitational, Feb. 15-16 at Ole Miss Softball Complex. Other tournaments on the docket are the Triple Crown Classic in St. Augustine, Fla., the Holiday Inn-Select Tulsa Festival in Tulsa, Okla., and the Speedline Invitational in Plant City, Fla.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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