The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, February 26
Orlando, Fla.
10AM
Ole Miss
10-4
2
vs
0
DePaul
5-6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
DePaul
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Ole Miss
0
0
1
0
1
0
X
2
6
0
Esparza’s Two Home Runs Lift Softball Past DePaul
2/26/2022 | Softball
Vestal Tosses Complete-Game Shutout
ORLANDO, Fla. – Freshman KK Esparza blasted two solo home runs, and Brooke Vestal tossed a complete-game shutout in the circle as Ole Miss softball blanked DePaul 2-0 Saturday morning.
After dropping a heartbreaker to UCF on Friday, the Rebels bounced back with a strong team win to move to 2-1 on the weekend at the Knights Classic and 10-4 on the season, their best start since opening the 2018 season 12-2.
Esparza powered the offense, going 2-for-2 with solo shots in both of her at bats. Bre Roper also had a solid day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. In the circle, Vestal starred for the Rebels, earning her first career shutout and first victory in an Ole Miss uniform.
DePaul threatened early, putting two runners in scoring position, but the Rebels held strong thanks to a big defensive play by Paige Smith to prevent the squeeze and a pair of strikeouts. Vestal then settled into the game, retiring 10 straight batters.
Ole Miss got on the board in the third after Esparza sent a solo shot over the left field fence. She did the same thing leading off the bottom of the fifth to make it a 2-0 ball game. The Rebels tried to add more in the frame after Tate Whitley walked and Roper ripped a single through the right side but were unsuccessful after a run down and a lineout ended the inning.
The Rebel defense stepped up as the Blue Demons tried to rally down the stretch. Angelina DeLeon made a diving stop and nearly rolled a double play after flipping the ball to Brooke Barnard to get the runner at second. Vestal was also able to come away with punchouts in some of the game's biggest moments, tallying a career-high nine in the victory.
QUICK HITS
• KK Esparza recorded her first career multi-home run game. She drove in and scored the games' only two runs.
• In her first career start with the Rebels, Brooke Vestal threw a three-hit complete-game shutout against DePaul. The junior added a career-best nine strikeouts.
• Tate Whitley reached base for the 12th straight game.
• Bre Roper tallied her fifth multi-hit game of the season and sixth consecutive game with at least one hit.
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. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
After dropping a heartbreaker to UCF on Friday, the Rebels bounced back with a strong team win to move to 2-1 on the weekend at the Knights Classic and 10-4 on the season, their best start since opening the 2018 season 12-2.
Esparza powered the offense, going 2-for-2 with solo shots in both of her at bats. Bre Roper also had a solid day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. In the circle, Vestal starred for the Rebels, earning her first career shutout and first victory in an Ole Miss uniform.
DePaul threatened early, putting two runners in scoring position, but the Rebels held strong thanks to a big defensive play by Paige Smith to prevent the squeeze and a pair of strikeouts. Vestal then settled into the game, retiring 10 straight batters.
Ole Miss got on the board in the third after Esparza sent a solo shot over the left field fence. She did the same thing leading off the bottom of the fifth to make it a 2-0 ball game. The Rebels tried to add more in the frame after Tate Whitley walked and Roper ripped a single through the right side but were unsuccessful after a run down and a lineout ended the inning.
The Rebel defense stepped up as the Blue Demons tried to rally down the stretch. Angelina DeLeon made a diving stop and nearly rolled a double play after flipping the ball to Brooke Barnard to get the runner at second. Vestal was also able to come away with punchouts in some of the game's biggest moments, tallying a career-high nine in the victory.
QUICK HITS
• KK Esparza recorded her first career multi-home run game. She drove in and scored the games' only two runs.
• In her first career start with the Rebels, Brooke Vestal threw a three-hit complete-game shutout against DePaul. The junior added a career-best nine strikeouts.
• Tate Whitley reached base for the 12th straight game.
• Bre Roper tallied her fifth multi-hit game of the season and sixth consecutive game with at least one hit.
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. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Vestal, Brooke (1-0)
L: HOCKER, Erin (1-3)
Batting:
SH: FRAZIER, Grace 1
Base Running:
HBP: POLUCHA, Kate 1
Batting:
2B: DeLeon, Angelina 1
HR: Esparza, KK 2
RBI: Esparza, KK 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Esparza, KK 2
SB: Roper, Bre 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballThe Old Youngin's - Mackenzie Pickens and Persy Llamas (SB)
Friday, October 10
Why Not Us? - Lexie Brady and Aliyah Binford (Softball)
Wednesday, June 04
PRESSER | Ole Miss Softball - vs. Oregon Postgame (05-30-25)
Saturday, May 31
Jamie Mackay Ties Game vs Oregon
Friday, May 30