Rebels Earn First SEC Victory Against Kentucky

OXFORD, Miss. Ole Miss picked up its first SEC victory of the season, as the Rebels split a double header against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. The Rebels dropped the first game, but came back to claim a 6-1 win in the final game of the day.

The Rebels’ (16-21, 1-15 SEC) bats came alive in game two, as they produced six runs on eight hits to take down the Wildcats (14-22, 2-11 SEC).

“I told the players after the first game to stay positive, because they had played a good game,” said Ole Miss head coach Missy Dickerson. “That carried over into the second game with the hits and the runs. It felt great to get that win, because we have played so many close conference games.”

Ole Miss struck first in the game after a Lauren Grill double that allowed Lisa Conchos to score. Conchos was on base after being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. Another double by Ashley Dowdy drove in Grill and gave the Rebels the 2-0 lead after one inning.

Lindsey Perry (5-5) held the Wildcats scoreless for 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and striking out three. A threat by Kentucky brought in Tara Willitt to replace Perry in the fifth with runners second and third. Willitt struck out Megan Aull and Audrey Meyer was picked off at first to end the inning and continue the shutout.

The Rebels added another run in the bottom of the fifth after Conchos knocked a double with two outs and a single by Grill scored Conchos, making it 3-0 Rebels. Both Grill and Conchos finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.

Kentucky finally got on the board in the sixth on a Natalie Smith RBI groundout that drove in Megan Yocke. Yocke led off the inning with a single and a fielding miscue by Alyssa McGovern allowed Yocke to advance to third. That is the only run the Wildcats would produce as Willitt earned her first save of the season. She pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and striking out two.

A big sixth inning put the game away for Ole Miss, as the Rebels scored three runs on four hits. Lauren Rowe started the inning off with a walk and Morgan Button came in to pinch run for Rowe. McGovern singled, placing runners at first and second, but Button was caught stealing third to give the Rebels their first out. Elizabeth Holbert and Aly Presswood each pinch hit and were walked, and Alise Doubt and Courtnie Ghinaudo would re-enter for Holbert and Presswood. A single to center by Conchos knocked in McGovern and Doubt. After Grill walked, a single by Dowdy brought home Ghinaudo to make it 6-1 Rebels.

Dowdy finished the day 2-for-2 with 2 RBI, while Doubt and McGovern both added singles.

Jennifer Young (3-8) pitched a complete game for the Wildcats and gave up eight hits with four strikeouts and five walks, four of which came in the sixth.

Game One

Kentucky took game one of the double header against Ole Miss by the score of 3-1. The Wildcats hit one home run and took advantage of a pair of Rebel errors in the victory.

Kentucky struck in the top of the first when Wildcat catcher Megan Yocke homered to left to give the Wildcats the early 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats added a pair of runs in the top of the third on two hits and two Rebel errors. Megan Aull led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Rebel catcher Amber Tramp. Audrey Meyer singled to left and Aull moved to third. Yocke then laid down a bunt and Aull scored from third. A fielding miscue by Rebel first baseman Lauren Rowe allowed Kentucky to score the second run of the inning.

Designated player Michelle May smashed a home run deep to left in the bottom of the third to pull the Rebels within 3-1. It was May’s second home run of the season. She finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate with a home run.

Pitcher Becky Nye (6-8) went the distance for the Rebels and suffered the loss. She allowed one earned run on six hits in 7.0 innings of work. She struck out seven batters and did not issue a walk.

Amber Matousek (8-12) picked up the win for Kentucky. She pitched 7.0 innings and allowed five hits and one run. She struck out five batters and gave up two walks.

The Rebels and the Wildcats will conclude the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

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Team Stats

Courtnie Ghinaudo

Lisa Conchos

Ashley Dowdy

Michelle May

The University of Mississippi Athletics