The University of Mississippi Athletics

Friday, February 8
Orlando, Fla.
1:30 PM

Ole Miss

1-1

2
vs
4

Ohio State

2-0

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Ole Miss
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
1
Ohio State
0
0
4
0
0
0
X
4
3
2
Ohio State Final Score Graphic

Softball Unable to Keep Early Lead, Falls to Ohio State 2-4

2/8/2019 | Softball

Tillmann with Strong Showing in the Circle Despite Being Saddled with the Loss

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ole Miss (1-1) got out to an early lead Friday, but was unable to keep it going against Ohio State (2-0), falling to the Buckeyes 2-4 at the UCF Softball Complex.
 
Starting pitcher Ava Tillmann suffered through one rough patch in the third, but otherwise was in command in the circle. The sophomore surrendered four runs (three earned) on three hits and a walk, striking out a pair.
 
Just like the day before, the Rebs struck first in the opening inning. Kylan Becker drew a leadoff walk and stole second, eventually coming home on Brittany Finney's RBI single. Finney herself then came around to score as Autumn Gillespie reached on an error at second base.
 
The first two batters of the second reached for Ole Miss as Jessica Puk was hit by a pitch and Gabby Alvarez singled down the left field line. However, the Rebels were unable to take advantage and extend their lead.
 
That proved costly as Ohio State grabbed the lead in the home half of the third via a grand slam off of the bat of Emily Clark. It was Clark's second big fly of the day following her two-run shot in OSU's earlier game against George Mason.
 
The Rebels once again put the first two runners on base to start the fifth, with Taylor Watford taking a pitch off the leg and Becker drawing a walk. It looked like Kaylee Horton had kept the momentum going with a sharp hit to left but she was called out of the box on contact and a double play during the next at-bat ended the threat.
 
Ole Miss gave a late comeback attempt a shot in the seventh, putting Ally Mena and Becker on to put the tying run on-base but was unable to score them and keep the game alive.
 
Ole Miss returns to the UCF Softball Complex on Saturday for a doubleheader, taking on No. 21 Minnesota at 9 a.m. and George Mason at 11:30 a.m. Live stats will be available, with a link provided at OleMissSports.com.
 
Quick Hits
• Senior Brittany Finney picked up her second first-inning RBI in as many days, scoring Kylan Becker with a single in the first.
• After allowing the grand slam to Clark, Ava Tillmann retired the final 11 batters of the game for Ohio State.
• Ole Miss registered another stolen base in the game, sitting at seven total through two games in 2019.
 
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole MissSoftball and on Instagram at Instagram.com/olemisssoftball. Fans can also follow head coach Mike Smith on Twitter at @msmithsb16.
 

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Ray (1-0)

L: Tillmann, Ava (0-1)

Ole Miss LogoOle Miss

Batting:

RBI: Finney, Brittany 1 ; Gillespie, Autumn 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Becker, Kylan 1 ; Loftin, Kelsha 1

SB: Becker, Kylan 1

HBP: Puk, Jessica 1 ; Watford, Taylor 1

Ohio State LogoOhio State

Batting:

HR: Clark 1

RBI: Clark 4

Base Running:

RUNS: Betschel 1 ; Piper 1 ; Clark 1 ; Otte 1

HBP: Boren 1

Game Leaders

AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
0
RBI
0

Players Mentioned

1B/DP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP/1B
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
2B/OF
/ Softball
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