The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
34-12, 10-9
Tennessee
37-11, 13-6
No. 16 Softball Makes History, Downs No. 1 Tennessee
4/25/2025 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – For the first time since 2017, the No. 16 Ole Miss softball program took down the No. 1 team in the country, defeating Tennessee, 3-2 on Friday night at the Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) took down the No. 1 Lady Vols (37-11, 12-7 SEC) for their first win over a No. 1 opponent since defeating then No. 1 Florida at the 2017 SEC Tournament. The Rebels would go on to win the SEC Tournament that year.
Miali Guachino earned the win, going 5.2 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits, as the freshman picked up her 14th win. Brianna Lopez earned the save, striking out three over a scoreless 1.1 innings.
Guachino was sharp right out of the gate, generating soft contact for a scoreless first two frames. That allowed the Rebels to get her some run support in the second inning.
A Persy Llamas hit by pitch and Lexie Brady walk gave Mackenzie Pickens an early RBI opportunity. The freshman delivered a high chopper over the third baseman’s head and down the left field line, giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
From there, the Rebels executed some small ball, as a squeeze bunt by Angelina DeLeon allowed the Rebels to score another run and make it 2-0. An RBI groundout from Taylor Malvin helped punctuate a three-run inning for the Rebels and would ultimately end Tennessee star Karlyn Pickens night in the circle at just two innings.
Guachino promptly handled the Lady Vols over the next three frames, picking up a strikeout and holding them to just one hit.
The Lady Vols finally generated some momentum in the sixth inning, as a bunt single by Saviya Morgan kickstarted the offense. The visitors picked up two runs on an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to 3-2. However, Lopez entered the game in relief and after nearly getting a strikeout on a 3-2 count against the first batter, she responded with a strikeout to end the threat.
The pressure mounted in the seventh inning after Tennessee secured a lead-off walk. However, back-to-back strikeouts from Lopez put the Rebels on the brink. Lopez thought she had strike three against Kinsey Fiedler, but a single immediately after put two runners on. However, Lopez generated a tall fly out to left field to secure the victory.
Ole Miss looks for the series victory on Saturday, as they welcome the No. 1 Lady Vols back to Oxford for a 2 p.m. CT. The Rebels will celebrate their senior class prior to the start of the game.
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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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Guachino, Miali (14-8)
L: Karlyn Pickens (18-6)
S: Lopez, Brianna (1)
Batting:
3B: Kinsey Fiedler 1
RBI: Kinsey Fiedler 1 ; Taylor Pannell 1
SF: Taylor Pannell 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kinsey Fiedler 1 ; Saviya Morgan 1
SB: Amanda Ahlin 1
Batting:
RBI: Pickens, Mackenzie 1 ; DeLeon, Angelina 1 ; Malvin, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ferguson, Star 1 ; Brady, Lexie 1 ; Pickens, Mackenzie 1
SB: DeLeon, Angelina 1
HBP: Llamas, Persy 1
