Softball To Launch 2007 Season In Houston, Texas

OXFORD, Miss. The Ole Miss softball team will look to carry the momentum from a strong 2006 finish into a promising 2007 campaign, which begins this weekend at the Wilson DeMarini Invitational hosted by the University of Houston.

The Rebels will be put to the test right off the bat when they square off with No. 11 Michigan in the season’s first contest at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The 2005 National Champion Wolverines are the highest ranked opponent ever for a Rebel season opener. They followed the NCAA title with a 44-15 record and Super Regional appearance last year.

“I think it’s to our advantage to start off playing a team with such a storied tradition,” said second-year head coach Missy Dickerson, who led the Rebels to their first ever Southeastern Conference Tournament in her first season. “We want to make a good showing, and it’s good for our kids to start off with a high level of competition.”

The tournament field also includes the Houston Cougars and Texas-Arlington Mavericks, each of whom the Rebels will play twice over the weekend. Houston returns 12 letterwinners from a 40-23 squad a year ago, while UTA was 32-22 last season and finished third in the Southland Conference.

Ole Miss returns eight letterwinners and six starters from last year's club that won seven of its last eight SEC games and 8-of-11 overall to finish the year.

Among the top returnees is the school record holder in strikeouts in senior left-hander Mary Jane Callahan, who is the top returning pitcher and hitter for the second straight year. Also returning is a 2006 SEC All-Freshman infielder in Lisa Conchos, who batted .290 and stroked a team-leading 10 doubles a year ago.

Callahan will share team captain duties with junior southpaw Tara Willitt, who is returning to the circle after a redshirt season. They will team with freshman right-hander Becky Nye to make up what should be a formidable pitching staff for the Rebels.

While Dickerson has expressed during the preseason that the Rebels’ success will begin with their pitching, she has been pleased with the progression of the offense in recent weeks.

“The offense has done a good job of making adjustments,” she said. “We should have solid production at the plate based on what we’ve seen the last few weeks in practice.”

The team welcomes 10 newcomers in 2007, including a pair of high school All-Americans and several other highly regarded signees. Several of the rookies are expected to receive substantial playing time and starting positions.

Dickerson and her staff are looking forward to seeing the young club in game action.

“As a coach, you do your best to try to prepare the players for game-like situations during practice,” she said. “I think we have done the best job we could. Now it’s time for the players to take what they’ve learned in practice and apply it out on the field. You hope for no nerves and that they will play relaxed.”

Ole Miss is 5-5 all-time in season openers, including a victory in each of the last two.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related News

Related Videos