The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
33-15, 0
Arkansas
17-31, 0
Rebel Softball Clinches Series in 7-2 Win over Arkansas
4/23/2016 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. - Senior Madi Osias tossed her fifth complete game allowing just four hits to Arkansas Saturday night, leading the Rebels to a 7-2, series-clinching win over the Razorbacks at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
Osias, who was honored Friday in her Senior Day, went the distance allowing just two runs off four hits and three walks, earning her 17th win of 2016, which ties the single-season record for wins in a season.
With the win, the Rebels (33-15, 8-9 SEC) clinch their second straight and third conference series win of the season. The series victory is also the first at home for Ole Miss, as the Rebels have now won three of the last four overall in league play.
In Saturday's matchup, seven different Rebels scattered nine hits for the home team led by two each from Grayce Majam and Hailey Lunderman. Ashton Lampton and Dakota Matiko both drove in two runs, while Elantra Cox, Lunderman and Miranda Strother all chipped in with one RBI.
The two sides left a combined 21 runners on base as Ole Miss stranded 15 including the bases loaded twice in the first two frames, and again in the fifth and sixth. But, the Rebels strung together three-straight scoring frames led by a pair in the fourth and a four-run fifth to take the middle game of the series.
After three-straight scoreless frames, Arkansas took a 2-0 lead in the fourth after a 2-run home run to right field from Claire Clark.
But, the Rebels had an answer in their next chance as Lunderman and Strother both picked up RBI singles tying the contest at 2-2 through four.
Alex Schneider led off the fifth drawing a walk, before Matiko launched her first home run as a Rebel and second of her career pushing the Rebels in front 4-2. From there, Lampton went on to record a two-RBI single down the right field line capping the four-run frame that included four hits.
Ole Miss went on to add an insurance run in the sixth thanks to an RBI off a fielders choice from Cox capping the scoring on the night.
The Rebels created motion on the base paths finishing with four stolen bases overall led by two from Strother and one each from Cox and Paige McKinney.
Every Ole Miss player who had a plate appearance in the win reached safely at least once, as the Rebels took advantage of nine walks from Arkansas starter Grace Moll. Strother, Lampton and Courtney Syrett all drew two walks apiece, while Sarah Van Schaik, Schneider and Natalie Martinez also drew walks.
On Deck
Ole Miss and Arkansas return to the Ole Miss Softball Complex Sunday for the series finale at 1 p.m.
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 (17-6)
L: Grace Moll (12-25)
Batting:
2B: Loren Krzysko 1
HR: Claire Clark 1
RBI: Claire Clark 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Danielle Brochu 1 ; Claire Clark 1
Batting:
HR: Matiko, Dakota 1
RBI: Cox, Elantra 1 ; Lunderman, Hailey 1 ; Strother, Miranda 1 ; Lampton, Ashton 2 ; Matiko, Dakota 2
SH: Cox, Elantra 1 ; Majam, Grayce 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cox, Elantra 1 ; Lunderman, Hailey 2 ; Schneider, Alex 1 ; Castro, Bry 1 ; Matiko, Dakota 1 ; Majam, Grayce 1
SB: Cox, Elantra 1 ; Strother, Miranda 2 ; McKinney, Paige 1
HBP: Syrett, Courtney 1 ; Majam, Grayce 1
