The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Softball Media Day
2/8/2023 | Softball
Trachsel, Allee, Riley and Whitley Speak with Media
OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Jamie Trachsel and members of the Ole Miss softball team spoke with the media ahead of Friday's season opener against North Carolina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
Head Coach Jamie Trachsel
Opening Statement:
We're excited it's game week. Been waiting a while to say that. Our team feels like we've been ready for a couple of weeks now, and so we're excited to get on the road here going down to Puerto Vallarta and get everyone in the same dugout. We're excited about this team and the potential that we have. We've worked really hard. I don't know that there are many teams and programs in the country that have outworked us. We know that doesn't guarantee us anything, but we're going to get tested right away by some elite competition. But we're ready to be tested by another team and put everyone in the dugout and go at somebody.
On welcoming 12 newcomers to the team:
I think they've done a great job here, and that starts with our current players who have been here, who are familiar with the Ole Miss campus, our systems, our terminology, we run things and welcoming them and helping them get comfortable with what we do and how we do it and what our standards are to bridge the gap between being new. This is a pretty close team, and they'd all tell you that. They feel close and comfortable with each other, but that started way back in August and September when they first came to campus.
On the 2023 team:
I think what excites us about this team is that we feel really balanced in multiple areas, from pitching to defense to baserunning to even offense. We love the fact that we have a little bit bigger roster. There's a lot of depth and competition at practice each and every day, and that will continue throughout the entire season. We have a lot of confidence in the depth and strength because we can win games differently, and I think that's a credit to being a really great team.
Senior SS Mikayla Allee
On team goals heading into 2023:
We just want to make history for Ole Miss. I've been here for five years, so I've been a part of a lot of teams. I think this is a cliché to say, but the chemistry on this team is unreal, and it's super rare to find that. So, I think with that and our talent we can go a long way.
On being a leader:
Being a fifth-year and grandma on the team, I'm just taking the younger ones under my wing and showing them how it's done because I want them to be the best once I'm gone.
On opening the season in Puerto Vallarta:
It's not every day that you get to leave the country and play. This is just one of the many great opportunities that you get when you go to a big SEC school, and it's something that I really want to take advantage of.
Sophomore RHP/DP Catelyn Riley
On excitement for the 2023 season:
I'm excited for Mexico because it's my first time leaving the country, but I'm also excited to see what this team is capable of because we have the ability to prove a lot of people wrong.
On welcoming 12 newcomers to the team:
It's awesome because last season there were nine incoming freshmen last year, so with eight freshmen this year we have that experience to take them under our wing and give them a little more guidance.
Senior OF Tate Whitley
On team goals heading into 2023:
I think this team is going to be really good, so our goals this season are to do things that have never been done before at Ole Miss like pushing a 50-win season, being top four in the SEC Tournament and even winning it again and hosting a regional again. I think all those are very doable for this team.
On the importance of starting off hot:
We have a really tough strength of schedule, so we have a lot to prove. But if we start off hot against all these teams, it'll show that we're here to play and that we are going to be a really good team and we want to prove it.
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.
