The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Softball: 50 Days Out
12/21/2023 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – Officially 50 days away from the first pitch of the 2024 season, excitement surrounding the Ole Miss softball program continues to grow. A strong group of returners, an impact transfer class and new additions to the coaching staff all highlighted by a brand new stadium are set to have Oxford buzzing this spring.
Heading into her fourth season at the helm, head Coach Jamie Trachsel and the Rebels are looking to earn a spot in the NCAA Softball Tournament for the eighth straight year.
The 2024 roster features key returners such as Paige Smith, Catelyn Riley and Jalia Lassiter. Back for her super senior season, Smith has an opportunity to cement herself as one of the program's top sluggers. She is one of seven players in Ole Miss history with 100 hits and 100 RBI, fourth in the record books with 32 home runs and 134 RBI. Riley has been the go-to arm for the Rebels each of the last two seasons. The junior boasts 19 wins in the circle and a 3.26 career ERA in 172.0 innings pitched. NFCA All-South Region Honoree Lassiter looks to build off her strong freshman campaign in which she tied for the team lead with 48 hits, including 16 for extra bases.
An impressive group of new faces also joins the Rebels. Transfers Courtney Day, Brianna Lopez, Jaden Pone, Delaney Rummell and Ryan Starr comprise Extra Inning Softball's No. 5 ranked impact transfer class and are hoping to make a splash in the 'Sip.
Along with the five transfers, Trachsel also welcomed in three new members to her staff.
Daniel Nicolaisen arrives in Oxford with an elite resume that includes four years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he was promoted to the major-league staff as an assistant hitting coach at the age of 29, three seasons with Seton Hall softball and background in men's fastpitch that features two European Championship titles.
Karl Gollan comes to Oxford with over 30 years of softball playing experience, including 25 years at the international and world championship level. A former member of New Zealand's national team from 2004-2017, he helped lead his country to the top spot in the WBSC/ISF and ISC rankings. As a coach, Gollan assisted the NZ Black Sox and still serves as an advisor for the national team. He also has experience working with athletes, many who have gone on to play college softball at his School of Fastpitch.
DJ Sanders returns to the Magnolia State joining the Rebels from the professional ranks of Athletes Unlimited. The Columbus, Mississippi, native was a 2017 NFCA First Team All-American at Louisiana and has recently coached with Memphis, Mississippi State and Missouri.
One of the most exciting things fans and the student-athletes have to look forward to in 2024 is a brand new softball stadium as part of Ole Miss' Champions. Now. Campaign. The Ole Miss Softball Stadium renovations will include numerous fan amenities, including upgraded grandstands, restrooms and concessions. The team will benefit from enlarged bullpens, as well as improved team offices, locker rooms and storage.
This past May, the Ole Miss Softball Complex saw its final game ever as the Rebels walked off No. 14 Alabama with a four-spot in the bottom of the seventh inning. Just 23 days later, construction crews began demolition on the ballpark as part of a brand new $30 million facility upgrade.
Ole Miss opens the season in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Paradise Classic on February 8, 2024.
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 @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
Heading into her fourth season at the helm, head Coach Jamie Trachsel and the Rebels are looking to earn a spot in the NCAA Softball Tournament for the eighth straight year.
The 2024 roster features key returners such as Paige Smith, Catelyn Riley and Jalia Lassiter. Back for her super senior season, Smith has an opportunity to cement herself as one of the program's top sluggers. She is one of seven players in Ole Miss history with 100 hits and 100 RBI, fourth in the record books with 32 home runs and 134 RBI. Riley has been the go-to arm for the Rebels each of the last two seasons. The junior boasts 19 wins in the circle and a 3.26 career ERA in 172.0 innings pitched. NFCA All-South Region Honoree Lassiter looks to build off her strong freshman campaign in which she tied for the team lead with 48 hits, including 16 for extra bases.
@OleMissSoftball let's do this one last time ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/8ngP7Yjxr2
— Paige (@paige_smith9) June 12, 2023
An impressive group of new faces also joins the Rebels. Transfers Courtney Day, Brianna Lopez, Jaden Pone, Delaney Rummell and Ryan Starr comprise Extra Inning Softball's No. 5 ranked impact transfer class and are hoping to make a splash in the 'Sip.
#️⃣5️⃣ Transfer Class in the Nation
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) September 8, 2023
Along with the five transfers, Trachsel also welcomed in three new members to her staff.
Daniel Nicolaisen arrives in Oxford with an elite resume that includes four years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he was promoted to the major-league staff as an assistant hitting coach at the age of 29, three seasons with Seton Hall softball and background in men's fastpitch that features two European Championship titles.
Karl Gollan comes to Oxford with over 30 years of softball playing experience, including 25 years at the international and world championship level. A former member of New Zealand's national team from 2004-2017, he helped lead his country to the top spot in the WBSC/ISF and ISC rankings. As a coach, Gollan assisted the NZ Black Sox and still serves as an advisor for the national team. He also has experience working with athletes, many who have gone on to play college softball at his School of Fastpitch.
DJ Sanders returns to the Magnolia State joining the Rebels from the professional ranks of Athletes Unlimited. The Columbus, Mississippi, native was a 2017 NFCA First Team All-American at Louisiana and has recently coached with Memphis, Mississippi State and Missouri.
One of the most exciting things fans and the student-athletes have to look forward to in 2024 is a brand new softball stadium as part of Ole Miss' Champions. Now. Campaign. The Ole Miss Softball Stadium renovations will include numerous fan amenities, including upgraded grandstands, restrooms and concessions. The team will benefit from enlarged bullpens, as well as improved team offices, locker rooms and storage.
The Future Home of Ole Miss Softball
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) August 3, 2023
This past May, the Ole Miss Softball Complex saw its final game ever as the Rebels walked off No. 14 Alabama with a four-spot in the bottom of the seventh inning. Just 23 days later, construction crews began demolition on the ballpark as part of a brand new $30 million facility upgrade.
Ole Miss opens the season in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Paradise Classic on February 8, 2024.
Mark those calendars! 📅
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) December 1, 2023
The 2024 Schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/6LT8EngvXQ
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 @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
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