The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Kentucky
Rebels Split Doubleheader With Kentucky To Open SEC Play
3/13/2004 | Softball
March 13, 2004
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
OXFORD, Miss. - Mary Jane Callahan continued to be steady on the mound as Ole Miss (5-16, 1-1 SEC) split a doubleheader with Kentucky (13-8-1, 2-6 SEC) to open Southeastern Conference play for the Rebels on Saturday.
Ole Miss claimed the first game 3-0 behind the solid pitching of Callahan, while the Wildcats took the second game 7-3. The rubber match between the two schools will be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
"It was great to come out and get in the win column in conference play in our first game," said Ole Miss head coach Candi Letts. "We did not come out and take care of business in the second game. We gave up a home run from our sophomore pitcher in the first at bat, and we can't do that. We have to follow up a win like that with another aggressive game."
Callahan (5-7) set the aggressive tone early in the first game and was all business as she struck out 11 batters and walked only three, giving up no runs on three hits for her second shutout of the season.
Ole Miss got on the board early, scoring in the first inning. With one out in the books, DeDe Justice would reach on a fielder's choice when the Wildcats got Britte Hardy out at second with the force. Justice would steal second with Andrea Brahs up in the next at bat. Brahs belted a single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw home as Justice scored to put the Rebels on top.
The Rebels added two insurance runs in the fifth to reach the final 3-0 margin of victory. Rebecca McIntire walked to lead off the inning, before Vanessa Gibbs came in to pinch run for the third baseman. Gibbs then advanced to second on a sac bunt from Brittany Warner. Callahan singled to left field, advancing Gibbs to third. Callahan then stole second. The Rebels then scored two runs when Stacy McCommon singled to left field, scoring both Gibbs and Callahan.
Amy Kendall suffered the loss for the Wildcats in the first game, striking out one batter and walking two, while giving up three runs on two hits.
The Wildcats would waste no time in the second game, jumping right on the board with two runs in the first inning. Amber Janneck smacked a home run over the left field fence in the first at bat of the game. Rachel Friberg then reached on a walk and advanced to third on a throwing error from the catcher trying to pick her off at second. Amy Kendall then brought Friberg home with a sac bunt to put Kentucky up by two.
The Rebels responded in the first, scoring two runs to tie the game. Hardy reached to lead off the inning. She advanced to second when Brooke Turner reached on a bunt single. Justice loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch in the next at bat. Brahs doubled to right field, scoring Hardy and Turner to tie the game.
Kentucky would respond with three more runs in the second. With one out recorded, Lori Melchi doubled to left center, then scored on an Ashley Fertic single. Jessica Nance then singled up the middle, advancing Fertic to third. Callahan then came in to replace sophomore Dana Brill who started the game for the Rebels. Nance stole second during the next at bat. Janneck then hit a sac fly to score Fertic. Nance stole third and advanced to score when the throw from the catcher was off the mark and rolled into left field. Ole Miss got out of the inning as Callahan got Friberg to ground out to second.
Kentucky would add another run in the third and its final run in the seventh to reach the final 7-3 margin. The Rebels added their third run of the game off a Justice home run in the third inning. It marks the fifth home run of the season for Justice.
Brill suffered the loss in the second game, falling to 1-6 on the year. She turned in 1.1 innings of work, striking out two and walking one as the Wildcats scored three runs on four hits. Callahan came in to relieve Brill with one out in the second and two runners on base. The freshman then worked 5.2 innings, striking out seven batters and walking none as she gave up two earned runs on six hits.
Gretchen Prugh picked up the win in the second game for the Wildcats to move to 2-0 on the season. She struck out two and walked two in the win.
Ole Miss left eight runners stranded while Kentucky left five on base.
Score by Innings R H E-----------------------------------------Kentucky............ 000 000 0 - 0 3 0Ole Miss............ 100 020 X - 3 4 0-----------------------------------------
Score by Innings R H E-----------------------------------------Kentucky............ 231 000 1 - 7 10 1Ole Miss............ 201 000 0 - 3 8 3-----------------------------------------
