Rebels Run Rule Arkansas, Split Doubleheader

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Ole Miss exploded for six runs in the second inning and Becky Nye pitched a three-hit shut out, as the Rebels cruised to an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday at Lady Back Yard.

Ashley Dowdy singled to start the second for Ole Miss (21-26, 5-19 SEC) and moved to second on a sac bunt by Michelle May. Courtnie Ghinaudo drove in Dowdy on single to center to give the Rebels a 2-0 lead. Alise Doubt reached on a fielding error and Lauren Grill reached a fielder’s choice to put two down in the inning. Alyssa McGovern and Lisa Conchos then recorded back-to-back RBI singles to give Ole Miss a 4-0 lead. Lauren Rowe highlighted the inning with a three-run double to right center to stake the Rebels to a 7-0 lead.

The Rebels jumped on the scoreboard in the first after catcher Amber Tramp singled to drive in Grill, who walked to lead off the game.

Michelle May homered to left center to lead off the third for the Rebels’ eighth and final run of the game. It was May’s fourth home run of the season and second in her last five games. She finished the 1-for-2 with one RBI.

Rowe finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate with three RBI, while Grill scored two runs on a 1-for-3 day.

Arkansas (33-21, 6-14 SEC) loaded the bases in the third on a single, an error and a walk, but Rebel starting pitcher Becky Nye got Lady Back third baseman Sandra Smith to pop out to second to end the inning.

The Lady Backs put two more runners on in the fourth with one out on a single and a walk, but Nye once again recorded back-to-back outs to end the Arkansas threat.

Nye (9-9) turned in a complete-game shut out against Arkansas, her second of the week. Nye struck out three batters and allowed three hits in her 5.0 innings of work.

Miranda Dixon (12-10) suffered the loss for Arkansas after pitching the first 1.2 innings. Dixon allowed six runs on six hits and struck out one. She was relieved by Kim Jones, who pitched only a 0.1 inning and gave up two runs. Layne McGuirt pitched the final 3.0 innings for the Lady Razorbacks and allowed one hit.

Game One

Lauren Grill hit a solo home run and the Rebels pounded out ten hits, but it wasn’t enough as Ole Miss dropped game one of a doubleheader 3-2 to Arkansas on Saturday at Lady Back Yard.

Grill lead off the first for Ole Miss and took Arkansas starting pitcher Katy Henry’s second pitch of the game deep over the left field wall to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead. The long ball was Grill’s 11 of the season and fifth in her last eight games. She finished the 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk.

Jessica Backora singled to lead off the first for the Lady Razorbacks and moved to third after Kayla Johnson reached on a fielding error by Rebel first baseman Lauren Rowe. Miranda Dixon singled off the wall in right to drive in Backora, but Rebel starting pitcher Tara Willitt got Sandra Smith to line into a double play and Dayna Huckabee grounded out to end the inning.

Rowe singled to start the second for the Rebels and moved to second on a sac bunt by Michelle May. Courtnie Ghinaudo singled with two down in the inning to give Ole Miss runners on the corners. Alise Doubt then hit a swinging-bunt single to score Rowe from third and reclaim the lead for the Rebels.

Alyssa McGorvern singled to lead off the Rebel third, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. Lisa Conchos then doubled to right center and Amber Tramp singled through the left side of the infield to put runners on the corners. Kim Jones then entered in relief of Henry, who lasted just 2.1 innings for the Lady Backs. Tramp stole second, but Conchos was picked off at third for the second out of the inning. May grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.

Conchos went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, while Ashley Dowdy was 2-for-3 on the day with two singles.

Arkansas reclaimed the lead in the third after Dixon hit a two-run homer to center field. Dixon knocked in all three of the Lady Razorback’s runs in the game.

Grill walked to lead off the Ole Miss half of the seventh and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Alyssa McGovern. Jones got Conchos to ground out, but then hit Tramp to give the Rebels runner on first and second with two down. However, Rowe grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.

Willitt (6-11) pitched 4.2 innings for the Rebels and allowed three runs, all earned, on five hit and struck out four. Becky Nye entered in relief of Willitt in the fifth and pitched the final 1.1 innings. She allowed no hits and struck out one batter.

Jones (5-2) picked up the win for Arkansas after pitching the final 4.2 innings. She allowed three hits, while striking out two and walking two.

Ole Miss and Arkansas conclude the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Lady Back Yard. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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Team Stats

Lisa Conchos

Ashley Dowdy

Lauren Grill

Alyssa McGovern

The University of Mississippi Athletics