The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
31-15
Memphis
22-24
Softball Makes History in Victory over Memphis
4/19/2016 | Softball
Box Score | Final Stats | Photo Gallery
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss softball made history Tuesday night clinching its school record 31st win, thanks to a 5-3 victory over Memphis at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The 2016 Rebels (31-15) become the first team in school history to win more than 30 games, and still have 11 contests remaining on the regular season slate.
Ole Miss also etches its name into the record books for the most home wins of any team in program history, now with 16 on the season breaking the former record of 15 set by the 2010 club.
In Tuesday's matchup with the Tigers, Alex Schneider and Miranda Strother both went yard, as Schneider's solo shot in the fourth set the tables for the offense, while Strother kept it going and gave the Rebels the go-ahead lead in the fifth thanks to her three-run blast.
In the circle, senior Madi Osias inched closer to the single-season wins record with her 16th on the year thanks to a five inning effort with two runs and four hits allowed to go along with four strikeouts. Sophomore Kayla Landwehrmier worked the final two frames with one run allowed off two hits, earning her team-best third save of the year.
Offensively for the Rebels, Grayce Majam continued her hot streak at the plate with a 2-for-2 night, while five other Rebs chipped in with one hit each. Elantra Cox, Hailey Lunderman, Strother, Schneider and Paige McKinney scored the runs for Ole Miss, while Strother's three RBI and Schneider's one paced the way.
The Rebels jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first, chasing Memphis' starter Calli Irvin, thanks to a double steal when Lunderman broke for second and Cox crossed home, putting the home team in front 1-0.
After two-straight scoreless frames, Schneider's blast to right center in the fourth gave the Rebels a 2-0 advantage, before a two-run double from the Tigers' Lindsay Crowdus tied the contest up at 2-2 in the fifth.
But, the tie didn't last long as it was Strother's shot to the scoreboard in the fifth that put the Rebels back on top. Majam got the rally going thanks to a one out double to left center, before Lunderman walked to put two on for Strother that led to her blast.
Memphis went on to plate a run in the sixth off an RBI single, but Landwehrmier held strong earning the save for Ole Miss.
On Deck
Ole Miss stays home for an SEC weekend series Friday through Sunday versus Arkansas. First pitch on Friday in the opener is set for 6 p.m., and Saturday's game will start at 7 p.m. and be televised live on SEC Network. Sunday's finale is slated for a 1 p.m. start in what will be Strikeout Cancer day at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
For all Ole Miss Softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at Instagram.com/olemisssoftball. Fans can also follow head coach Mike Smith on Twitter at @msmithsb16. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Osias, Madi (16-6)
L: NOVAK, C. (2-5)
S: Landwehrmier, Kayla (3)
Batting:
2B: CROWDUS, L. 1 ; SEALE, B. 1 ; JOHNSON, T. 1
RBI: CROWDUS, L. 2 ; JOHNSON, T. 1
SH: LEE, B. 1 ; TROSCLAIR, K 1
Base Running:
RUNS: VALENZUELA, 1 ; JOHNSON, T. 1 ; HADLEY, R. 1
PO: HARRELL, H. 1
Batting:
2B: Majam, Grayce 1
HR: Strother, Miranda 1 ; Schneider, Alex 1
RBI: Strother, Miranda 3 ; Schneider, Alex 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cox, Elantra 1 ; Lunderman, Hailey 1 ; Strother, Miranda 1 ; Schneider, Alex 1 ; McKinney, Paige 1
SB: Cox, Elantra 2 ; Lunderman, Hailey 1
CS: Becker, Kylan 1
HBP: Majam, Grayce 1
