The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels To Open SEC Play With Kentucky This Weekend
3/11/2004 | Softball
March 11, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss softball team enters what head coach Candi Letts calls the vital stage of the schedule this weekend, jumping into Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series against the Kentucky Wildcats (12-8-1, 1-4 SEC).
The Rebels (4-15, 0-0 SEC) will be playing at home for the first time in three weeks, and only the second time all season as they host a Kentucky team that enters the series after being swept by Tennessee in a three-game series this week. The Wildcats fell to the Lady Vols 3-2 on Tuesday, they then dropped both games of Wednesday's double-header 4-1 and 1-0.
"This weekend is the most important weekend of our schedule to date because we start Southeastern Conference play," said Letts. "It's vital that we get into the win column in Southeastern Conference play and get a jump start on our goals. This is when we can really start having direct impact on our goal of advancing to the Southeastern Conference tournament."
The Rebels are getting some help from some surprising players at this stage of the season, as lineup changes have given several athletes the opportunity to produce and claim a spot in the starting lineup.
Freshman Mary Jane Callahan has been outstanding on the mound for the Rebels, despite a 3-7 record that belies her skills. The left-hander leads the team with a 1.27 ERA through 71.2 innings of work. She has struck out a team best 65 batters while walking only 17 on the season. Opponents have only recorded 13 earned runs against the Muenster, Texas, native.
Mandy Ott has stepped up her play at the plate the last few outings, leading the team in batting average at .308. Ott has driven in three runs, belted out three doubles and scored a run. The designated player has been filling whatever roles the team needs in recent weeks, sliding in at third base and to help the team defensively.
DeDe Justice leads the team in RBI and home runs, driving in 14 runs on the season and belting four home runs, including a grand slam against Indiana State. She has scored a team-best nine runs on the season, tying with Brooke Turner in crossing the plate. Turner is a threat on the bases for the Rebels, successfully converting on all nine of her steal attempts this season. She also is tied for the SEC lead for most bases stolen by a player in a single game with three against LIU-Brooklyn.
The Rebels will need to be ready to face an improved Kentucky team, and one that will come into Oxford with confidence despite having dropped its last three games.
"Kentucky is a team that is improved and playing with more confidence this season," said Letts. "They have the same goals we do of advancing to the conference tournament and both sides view this weekend as a chance to get closer to that goal. We'll need to come out focused and determined to get some wins under our belt."
Amy Kendall is one of two players leading the Wildcats at the plate with a better than .300 average and appearances in almost every game. Kendall leads the way with a .354 average and also leads the team in RBI with 10. Rachel Friberg boasts a .317 average, having started all 21 games for Kentucky.
Meghan Cooper and Kendall are also leading the way on the mound for the Wildcats. Cooper and Kendall have combined for 26 appearances this season, with Copper posting a 4-2 record while Kendall is 5-6. Cooper boasts a 2.33 ERA to Kendall's 3.12 ERA.
Kendall leads the team in strikeouts (52) and walks (19), while Copper has given up almost as many walks (15) as she has strikeouts (20). The two pitchers have combined to give up 21 doubles on the season and 10 home runs.
The Rebels and Wildcats will face off in a double header on Saturday, with the first pitch being thrown at 1 p.m. The series will conclude on Sunday with a 1 p.m. start time. All games will be played at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
