The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, March 29
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
vs
South Carolina
Softball Continues Homestand Against No. 22 South Carolina
3/28/2024 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – Nearing the halfway point of the SEC slate, Ole Miss softball continues a seven-game homestand, welcoming No. 22 South Carolina to town for a three-game series.
LEADING OFF
• South Carolina leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, but the Rebels have won each of the previous two series and taken five of the last six meetings dating back to 2021.
• Ole Miss looks to bounce back after a tough weekend against No. 5 Georgia. The Rebels came up just short in two games after seventh and eighth innings inning rallies by the Bulldogs on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Rebels are receiving votes in both the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate and the NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
• This year marks the sixth time in program history that the Rebels have started the season 20-8 or better.
• Makenna Kliethermes leads the Rebels with a 10-2 record in the circle. The fifth-year senior averages 8.0 strikeouts per seven innings (ninth in the SEC and 49th nationally).
• One of the most electric players on the diamond, Jalia Lassiter ranks third in the SEC with 14 stolen bases and fourth in the conference with 40 hits.
• Ole Miss earned its highest-ranked series victory in program history earlier this month, taking two games from No. 2 LSU in Baton Rouge.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
In her 14th season as head coach of South Carolina, Beverly Smith has led her team to a 23-10 record and a No. 22 ranking in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll. After two weekends of conference play, the Gamecocks are still looking for their first SEC victory after opening up with two challenging series against Texas A&M and Tennessee. Regardless, South Carolina has multiple ranked wins in their non-conference schedule, one of them coming against their instate rival, Clemson, who was ranked No. 11 at the time. Friday's series opener marks the 61st meeting between the two programs. USC leads the all-time series 34-26, with Ole Miss sweeping the last series in 2022. The Gamecock lineup is led by Riley Blampied, who comes into the series batting .312 while leading the team with 34 hits. As a team, the offense is hitting .246 on the year. In the circle, the Gamecocks have been dominant. The staff ERA is 1.78, holding opponents to a .184 batting average. Stanford transfer Alana Vawter leads the way, with a 2.17 ERA through 83.2 innings pitched. Alongside her is the highly touted freshman, Sage Mardjetko, who has 78 strikeouts in 75.0 innings pitched on the year.
BUILDING SOMETHING SPECIAL
One of the most exciting things fans and student-athletes have to look forward to in 2024 is a brand new softball stadium as part of Ole Miss' Champions. Now. Campaign. This past May, the Ole Miss Softball Complex, which served as the Rebels' home field since 1998 and has seen one SEC Tournament, two NCAA Regionals and countless other memories, 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 $32 million facility upgrade. The Ole Miss Softball Stadium renovations will include numerous fan amenities, upgraded grandstands, restrooms and concessions. The team will also benefit from enlarged bullpens, as well as improved team offices, locker rooms and storage.
DON'T LET THE REBS GET HOT
After getting off to their best start in program history at 9-1, the Rebels continued to stay hot, boasting a strong 20-8 record through 28 games. In Ole Miss' 28 years of softball, only five other teams have posted an equal or better record through 28 games. Further, four of those teams went on to win at least 40 games, including Trachsel's 2022 squad.
MAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKENNA
After helping Ole Miss softball take its highest-ranked series win in program history at No. 2 LSU, senior right-hand pitcher Makenna Kliethermes was named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on March 19. Kliethermes was lights out in the circle, registering a 3-0 record for the Rebels on the week, including a pair over the Tigers. Making two starts and one appearance out of the bullpen, she surrendered just one earned run and struck out 17 batters over 17.0 innings pitched for a 0.41 ERA.
CALLING BATON ROUGE
The Rebels shocked the softball world on March 18, taking the series with a dominant 9-2 win over the second-ranked Tigers. With the victory, Ole Miss secured up its 20th win of the season in style, dominating the rubber match with No. 2 LSU and grabbing its highest-ranked series win in program history. It also marked the Rebels' first series win over the Tigers in Baton Rouge since 2008 and was the most runs Ole Miss has scored in a three-game set against LSU in the program's history.
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 28 hits, which ties her career-high and total from last season, while boasting a .373 average at the plate.
LEADOFF LASSITER
After capping off her rookie campaign with NFCA All-South Region Third Team Honors, Jalia Lassiter is proving to be one of the most electric players in the SEC. Just a sophomore, the Atmore, Alabama, native brings a different level of energy to the diamond with her game-changing speed, swagger and confidence. Hitting at the top of the order, she leads the team with a .385 mark at the plate and 40 hits so far this season (fourth in the SEC and 56th nationally). Lassiter has tallied multiple hits in 13 contests and has reached base in all but three, including each of the last 10.
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 10 home runs (fifth in the SEC and 24th nationally) and 29 RBI (11th in the SEC) on the season. Not only is Brady an offensive weapon, but she is a general behind the plate. She ranks second in the SEC and 16th in the country with nine runners caught stealing. She also boasts a perfect fielding percentage with 151 putouts and 17 assists.
TRIPLE THREAT
One of the most consistent parts of the Ole Miss lineup is left fielder Jaden Pone. Reaching base any way she can, the junior is a triple threat at the plate with the ability to bunt, slap and swing away. Pone ranks third on the team with a .370 batting average and .453 on-base percentage. A key addition to the Rebel offense, she also ranks second in hits with 34. Although this is her first season in Oxford, Pone is no stranger to success at the plate. She ranks among the nation's best, boasting a .404 career batting average, the 19th best mark among active players in Division I.
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.
LEADING OFF
• South Carolina leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, but the Rebels have won each of the previous two series and taken five of the last six meetings dating back to 2021.
• Ole Miss looks to bounce back after a tough weekend against No. 5 Georgia. The Rebels came up just short in two games after seventh and eighth innings inning rallies by the Bulldogs on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Rebels are receiving votes in both the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate and the NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
• This year marks the sixth time in program history that the Rebels have started the season 20-8 or better.
• Makenna Kliethermes leads the Rebels with a 10-2 record in the circle. The fifth-year senior averages 8.0 strikeouts per seven innings (ninth in the SEC and 49th nationally).
• One of the most electric players on the diamond, Jalia Lassiter ranks third in the SEC with 14 stolen bases and fourth in the conference with 40 hits.
• Ole Miss earned its highest-ranked series victory in program history earlier this month, taking two games from No. 2 LSU in Baton Rouge.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
In her 14th season as head coach of South Carolina, Beverly Smith has led her team to a 23-10 record and a No. 22 ranking in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll. After two weekends of conference play, the Gamecocks are still looking for their first SEC victory after opening up with two challenging series against Texas A&M and Tennessee. Regardless, South Carolina has multiple ranked wins in their non-conference schedule, one of them coming against their instate rival, Clemson, who was ranked No. 11 at the time. Friday's series opener marks the 61st meeting between the two programs. USC leads the all-time series 34-26, with Ole Miss sweeping the last series in 2022. The Gamecock lineup is led by Riley Blampied, who comes into the series batting .312 while leading the team with 34 hits. As a team, the offense is hitting .246 on the year. In the circle, the Gamecocks have been dominant. The staff ERA is 1.78, holding opponents to a .184 batting average. Stanford transfer Alana Vawter leads the way, with a 2.17 ERA through 83.2 innings pitched. Alongside her is the highly touted freshman, Sage Mardjetko, who has 78 strikeouts in 75.0 innings pitched on the year.
BUILDING SOMETHING SPECIAL
One of the most exciting things fans and student-athletes have to look forward to in 2024 is a brand new softball stadium as part of Ole Miss' Champions. Now. Campaign. This past May, the Ole Miss Softball Complex, which served as the Rebels' home field since 1998 and has seen one SEC Tournament, two NCAA Regionals and countless other memories, 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 $32 million facility upgrade. The Ole Miss Softball Stadium renovations will include numerous fan amenities, upgraded grandstands, restrooms and concessions. The team will also benefit from enlarged bullpens, as well as improved team offices, locker rooms and storage.
DON'T LET THE REBS GET HOT
After getting off to their best start in program history at 9-1, the Rebels continued to stay hot, boasting a strong 20-8 record through 28 games. In Ole Miss' 28 years of softball, only five other teams have posted an equal or better record through 28 games. Further, four of those teams went on to win at least 40 games, including Trachsel's 2022 squad.
MAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKENNA
After helping Ole Miss softball take its highest-ranked series win in program history at No. 2 LSU, senior right-hand pitcher Makenna Kliethermes was named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on March 19. Kliethermes was lights out in the circle, registering a 3-0 record for the Rebels on the week, including a pair over the Tigers. Making two starts and one appearance out of the bullpen, she surrendered just one earned run and struck out 17 batters over 17.0 innings pitched for a 0.41 ERA.
CALLING BATON ROUGE
The Rebels shocked the softball world on March 18, taking the series with a dominant 9-2 win over the second-ranked Tigers. With the victory, Ole Miss secured up its 20th win of the season in style, dominating the rubber match with No. 2 LSU and grabbing its highest-ranked series win in program history. It also marked the Rebels' first series win over the Tigers in Baton Rouge since 2008 and was the most runs Ole Miss has scored in a three-game set against LSU in the program's history.
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 28 hits, which ties her career-high and total from last season, while boasting a .373 average at the plate.
LEADOFF LASSITER
After capping off her rookie campaign with NFCA All-South Region Third Team Honors, Jalia Lassiter is proving to be one of the most electric players in the SEC. Just a sophomore, the Atmore, Alabama, native brings a different level of energy to the diamond with her game-changing speed, swagger and confidence. Hitting at the top of the order, she leads the team with a .385 mark at the plate and 40 hits so far this season (fourth in the SEC and 56th nationally). Lassiter has tallied multiple hits in 13 contests and has reached base in all but three, including each of the last 10.
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 10 home runs (fifth in the SEC and 24th nationally) and 29 RBI (11th in the SEC) on the season. Not only is Brady an offensive weapon, but she is a general behind the plate. She ranks second in the SEC and 16th in the country with nine runners caught stealing. She also boasts a perfect fielding percentage with 151 putouts and 17 assists.
TRIPLE THREAT
One of the most consistent parts of the Ole Miss lineup is left fielder Jaden Pone. Reaching base any way she can, the junior is a triple threat at the plate with the ability to bunt, slap and swing away. Pone ranks third on the team with a .370 batting average and .453 on-base percentage. A key addition to the Rebel offense, she also ranks second in hits with 34. Although this is her first season in Oxford, Pone is no stranger to success at the plate. She ranks among the nation's best, boasting a .404 career batting average, the 19th best mark among active players in Division I.
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
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