The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, March 16
Baton Rouge, La.
12 PM
Ole Miss
at
LSU
Softball Continues Road Swing in Baton Rouge Against No. 2 LSU
3/15/2024 | Softball
BATON ROUGE, La. – After a midweek doubleheader sweep at Nicholls State, Ole Miss softball continues its Louisiana Spring Break with a three-game series at No. 2 LSU March 16-18.
QUICK HITS
• LSU leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, but the Rebels have made things interesting, winning eight of the last 15 meetings dating back to 2017.
• The Rebels ride a three-game winning streak into Baton Rouge. They went 1-2 against No. 17 MSU to open SEC play.
• Lexie Brady has homered in three straight games for the Rebels. She is tied for second in the SEC and 13th in the nation with nine on the year.
• Makenna Kliethermes and Catelyn Riley combined for 18 strikeouts in the Rebels' victories at Nicholls State.
• One of the most electric players on the diamond, Jalia Lassiter ranks second in the SEC with 14 stolen bases and sixth in the conference with 33 hits.
• Senior Makenna Kliethermes has looked sharp for the Rebels in the circle. She leads the team with an 8-2 record and 60 strikeouts through 51.0 innings pitched.
• Ole Miss' coaching staff features three new faces. Daniel Nicolaisen, Karl Gollan and DJ Sanders all join the Rebels for their first season in Oxford.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Beth Torina is in her 13th season at the helm of the LSU softball program in 2024. She has led the Tigers to two 50-win seasons, six 40-win seasons and four trips to the Women's College World Series. This season, the Tigers are off to a perfect 23-0 start, placing them second in all four major national polls. LSU's last four wins have been over ranked opponents, including No. 3 Texas in a midweek matchup in Baton Rouge, which saw the Tigers win 7-4. 2023 First Team All-SEC selection Ali Newland is back for her senior season and is the top bat in the LSU lineup, hitting .388 while driving in 25 runs. She is one of eight Tigers hitting over .300 on the season as the team boasts a .352 average, the eighth-best in the nation. In the circle, Raelin Chaffin has taken on a big role for the Tigers, pitching the second-most innings for the staff. LSU's ace, Sydney Berzon, is a perfect 9-0 in 13 appearances. Overall, the Tigers team ERA is 2.12, holding opponents to a .204 batting average. LSU leads the all-time series 57-15, but Ole Miss has had the Tigers number in recent years, winning eight of the last 15 matchups dating back to 2017.
SPRING BREAKERS
While most college students hit the beach for spring break, the Rebels are working hard on the diamond. Ole Miss traveled south to Louisiana for five contests against Nicholls State and No. 2 LSU. On Wednesday night, the Rebels took care of business, picking up a midweek doubleheader sweep over the Colonels. Lexie Brady went deep in both games, while Makenna Kliethermes and Catelyn Riley combined for 18 strikeouts in the circle. Ole Miss looks to make more spring break memories this weekend when it takes on undefeated LSU in Baton Rouge.
PATIENCE AT THE PLATE
The Ole Miss offense has made large strides in just 25 games under Daniel Nicolaisen. With over 200 hits on the season so far, the Rebels are hitting .307 as a team, the seventh-best mark in the SEC. Not only are they seeing the ball fly off the bat, but they are showing patience at the plate, drawing 93 walks (20th nationally) to boast the 25th best on-base percentage in all of Division I softball at .409.
DOUBLE DIGITS
The Rebels have recorded at least 10 hits in 10 of their 25 contests so far this season, including 17 against Miami (OH) at the Clemson Classic. They only tallied 10+ hits in 16 games all of last season.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST
Playing her fourth year in an Ole Miss uniform, Aynslie Furbush is having the best season of her career. A two-way player, she stars for the Rebels in the circle and the batter's box, always finding a way to impact the game. In 2024, Furbush already has 22 hits, just six shy of her career-high and total from last season, while boasting a .379 average at the plate. Despite a 1-3 record, the Longwood, Florida, native has a 2.55 ERA in 24.2 innings of work to go along with three saves. In her career, Furbush now ranks as one of the top pitchers in the record books in ERA (2.21, third) and opponent batting average (.204, first).
BRADY BUNCH
After patiently waiting for her opportunity, Lexie Brady took over as the Rebels' starting catcher for 19 of the final 20 games last year, powering Ole Miss down the stretch. Back for her junior season, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native has taken the next step, assuming the cleanup role in the Rebel lineup. Brady leads the team with nine home runs (second in the SEC and 13th nationally) and 27 RBI (seventh in the SEC) on the season. Heading into the series with the Tigers she has homered in three straight games, including Sunday's walk-off winner against No. 17 MSU.
Not only is Brady an offensive weapon, but she is a general behind the plate. She ranks second in the SEC and 38th in the country with six runners caught stealing. She also boasts a perfect fielding percentage with 114 putouts and 12 assists.
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.
QUICK HITS
• LSU leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, but the Rebels have made things interesting, winning eight of the last 15 meetings dating back to 2017.
• The Rebels ride a three-game winning streak into Baton Rouge. They went 1-2 against No. 17 MSU to open SEC play.
• Lexie Brady has homered in three straight games for the Rebels. She is tied for second in the SEC and 13th in the nation with nine on the year.
• Makenna Kliethermes and Catelyn Riley combined for 18 strikeouts in the Rebels' victories at Nicholls State.
• One of the most electric players on the diamond, Jalia Lassiter ranks second in the SEC with 14 stolen bases and sixth in the conference with 33 hits.
• Senior Makenna Kliethermes has looked sharp for the Rebels in the circle. She leads the team with an 8-2 record and 60 strikeouts through 51.0 innings pitched.
• Ole Miss' coaching staff features three new faces. Daniel Nicolaisen, Karl Gollan and DJ Sanders all join the Rebels for their first season in Oxford.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Beth Torina is in her 13th season at the helm of the LSU softball program in 2024. She has led the Tigers to two 50-win seasons, six 40-win seasons and four trips to the Women's College World Series. This season, the Tigers are off to a perfect 23-0 start, placing them second in all four major national polls. LSU's last four wins have been over ranked opponents, including No. 3 Texas in a midweek matchup in Baton Rouge, which saw the Tigers win 7-4. 2023 First Team All-SEC selection Ali Newland is back for her senior season and is the top bat in the LSU lineup, hitting .388 while driving in 25 runs. She is one of eight Tigers hitting over .300 on the season as the team boasts a .352 average, the eighth-best in the nation. In the circle, Raelin Chaffin has taken on a big role for the Tigers, pitching the second-most innings for the staff. LSU's ace, Sydney Berzon, is a perfect 9-0 in 13 appearances. Overall, the Tigers team ERA is 2.12, holding opponents to a .204 batting average. LSU leads the all-time series 57-15, but Ole Miss has had the Tigers number in recent years, winning eight of the last 15 matchups dating back to 2017.
SPRING BREAKERS
While most college students hit the beach for spring break, the Rebels are working hard on the diamond. Ole Miss traveled south to Louisiana for five contests against Nicholls State and No. 2 LSU. On Wednesday night, the Rebels took care of business, picking up a midweek doubleheader sweep over the Colonels. Lexie Brady went deep in both games, while Makenna Kliethermes and Catelyn Riley combined for 18 strikeouts in the circle. Ole Miss looks to make more spring break memories this weekend when it takes on undefeated LSU in Baton Rouge.
PATIENCE AT THE PLATE
The Ole Miss offense has made large strides in just 25 games under Daniel Nicolaisen. With over 200 hits on the season so far, the Rebels are hitting .307 as a team, the seventh-best mark in the SEC. Not only are they seeing the ball fly off the bat, but they are showing patience at the plate, drawing 93 walks (20th nationally) to boast the 25th best on-base percentage in all of Division I softball at .409.
DOUBLE DIGITS
The Rebels have recorded at least 10 hits in 10 of their 25 contests so far this season, including 17 against Miami (OH) at the Clemson Classic. They only tallied 10+ hits in 16 games all of last season.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST
Playing her fourth year in an Ole Miss uniform, Aynslie Furbush is having the best season of her career. A two-way player, she stars for the Rebels in the circle and the batter's box, always finding a way to impact the game. In 2024, Furbush already has 22 hits, just six shy of her career-high and total from last season, while boasting a .379 average at the plate. Despite a 1-3 record, the Longwood, Florida, native has a 2.55 ERA in 24.2 innings of work to go along with three saves. In her career, Furbush now ranks as one of the top pitchers in the record books in ERA (2.21, third) and opponent batting average (.204, first).
BRADY BUNCH
After patiently waiting for her opportunity, Lexie Brady took over as the Rebels' starting catcher for 19 of the final 20 games last year, powering Ole Miss down the stretch. Back for her junior season, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native has taken the next step, assuming the cleanup role in the Rebel lineup. Brady leads the team with nine home runs (second in the SEC and 13th nationally) and 27 RBI (seventh in the SEC) on the season. Heading into the series with the Tigers she has homered in three straight games, including Sunday's walk-off winner against No. 17 MSU.
Not only is Brady an offensive weapon, but she is a general behind the plate. She ranks second in the SEC and 38th in the country with six runners caught stealing. She also boasts a perfect fielding percentage with 114 putouts and 12 assists.
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.
Players Mentioned
C/UT
/ Softball
RHP/UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballWhy 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
Persy Llamas Drives In First Run in WCWS
Friday, May 30