The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
James Madison
Rebels Knock Off James Madison
3/11/2012 | Softball
March 11, 2012
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Senior Kendall Bruning allowed just two unearned runs and struck out four in seven innings and freshman Allison Brown hit a two-run single in the sixth inning to help lift Ole Miss to a 3-2 victory over James Madison on the final day of the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic on Sunday.
With the game tied at one in the sixth, sophomore RT Cantillo earned a one-out walk in the top of the frame and first baseman Londen Ladner doubled off the top of the wall in right center to put runners on second and third. Brown then laced a single to left that brought Cantillo and Ladner home and gave Ole Miss a 3-1 lead.
James Madison scored once in the bottom of the sixth after left fielder Morgan Heath singled, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on an illegal pitch and scored on an RBI groundout from right fielder Haley Widner to pull the Dukes to within 3-2.
Leadoff hitter Jasmine Butler singled up the middle with one out in the bottom of the seventh and advanced to second after shortstop Ashley Burnham singled through the left side of the infield to give James Madison runners on first and second with one down. However, Bruning settled down and got Mooney to strike out swinging for the second out and Haley Johnson to ground out to second to end the game.
Bruning (11-2) picked up the complete-game win after allowing just two unearned runs - on only six hits - in seven innings of work. She struck out four and walked two in her 10th complete game of the season.
The Dukes took an early lead in the bottom of the first after three straight, two-out singles and a fielding error by Rebel left fielder Brittany Broome allowed starting pitcher Sarah Mooney to score on a single to left.
After being held scoreless for the first four innings, third baseman Cali Overbeck got Ole Miss on the scoreboard with a solo home run over the wall in left to tie the game at one. It was her second homer of the season and second in as many days, and marked the 14th long ball of her career. She finished the game 2-for-3 at the dish with a double and a homer.
Ole Miss ended its west coast trip with a 3-2 record and the Rebels will travel to Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday for a non-conference matchup against the Delta Devilettes before heading to Alabama for a three-game set versus the top-ranked Crimson Tide beginning on Friday.
