The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, March 21
Oxford, Miss.
2 PM
Ole Miss
vs
Oklahoma
Softball Welcomes No. 4 Oklahoma to Oxford for First Time
3/20/2026 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss softball program returns to SEC play this weekend, hosting No. 4 Oklahoma for a three-game series at the Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
The Rebels (20-11, 0-6 SEC) will open the three-game set against the Sooners (29-2, 3-0 SEC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Game two is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. CT and the finale is set for Monday at 6 p.m. CT. The opener will be streamed on SEC Network Plus, while games two and three will be televised on the SEC Network.
LEADING OFF
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
The Rebels continue a grueling schedule by facing its third consecutive top-five opponent in SEC play in No. 4 Oklahoma this weekend. The Rebels own the third-most difficult schedule in nation and the hardest in the SEC, standing behind only Nebraska and Georgia Tech.
Ole Miss has six non-conference midweeks remaining as SEC play gets into full gear, with each game generating added importance in the face of at least two more series against top-10 opponents.
The Rebels have already filled the schedule with road opportunities, going 11-5 outside of Oxford in non-conference play. The Rebels have 15 games remaining against the current RPI top-25, headlined by three against No. 1 Tennessee.
NATIONAL NODS
The Rebels have earned national recognition has the program gets into March, with three Rebels being tabbed to Softball America's March Position Power Rankings. Leading the charge is freshman Madi George, who was named as the No. 11 utility player in the nation according to Softball America. Persy Llamas was tabbed as the No. 12 first baseman, while Mackenzie Pickens was selected as the No. 14 second baseman in the country.
FINDING THE FORMULA
The Rebels have found their success when the two middle of the order hitters, Persy Llamas and Madi George, are able to drive in runs. The Rebels are 11-3 when Llamas tallies an RBI and 9-8 when she does not, while the Rebels are 14-3 when George tallies an RBI and 6-8 when she does not.
Additionally, if only one of the two drive in a run, the Rebels are 18-5 in those games and 2-6 overall when neither tallies an RBI.
ACT TWO
Persy Llamas took the SEC by storm as a freshman and returns to anchor an offense with plenty of potent bats in 2026. Llamas not only hit .354 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 55 RBI last season, while striking out only 11 times, but also matched teammate Aliyah Binford in setting a new single-season RBI record at Ole Miss.
Her efforts across the postseason were heroic. Llamas went from hitting a three-run blast against No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament win, to tallying three home runs in three games against No. 12 Arizona to secure the NCAA Regional, to driving in the first two runs ever scored by the Rebels in a Women's College World Series against No. 16 Oregon. Llamas took home All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-South Region Second Team honors following the season.
As a result of her achievements, the nation has paid attention in 2026. Llamas was recently tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason Team, as well as earning a top-100 player and top-10 player at first base nod from Softball America this offseason.
This season, Llamas has kept pace, hitting a sizzling .392 with five home runs and 27 RBI through 31 games, headlined by a walk-off double in a win over Miami.
Llamas already has eyes on the all-time record books at Ole Miss, standing just three home runs away from entering the top-10 in program history. Additionally, her .992 fielding percentage at first base has already put her among the Rebels all-time best.
A STAR IS BORN
After multiple NFCA All-Region honorees from last season's freshman class, the Rebels have unearthed another freshman star in Madi George.
George has quickly taken over as the cleanup hitter in the early portion of her college career, hitting .417 with nine home runs, 13 total extra-base hits, 28 RBI and 19 walks. George leads the Rebels in home runs, walks, RBI, slugging percentage and OBP.
A natural first baseman who has seen most of her time split between right field and designated player thus far, George is following in a similar path as the Rebels current first baseman, sophomore Persy Llamas, who went on to a very successful freshman season. Llamas hit .368 with four home runs and 33 RBI through her first 31 collegiate games last season.
RETURN OF THE MACK
Another breakout star for the Rebels in 2025 was the dynamic Mackenzie Pickens, who stepped right into a key middle infield role and shined en route to NFCA All-South Region Third Team honors. This season, Pickens will take on an even bigger role on both sides of the ball.
Pickens delivered a sensational debut season in Oxford, hitting .328 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases. That play has carried over into 2026 thus far, as Pickens is hitting .15 with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Pickens matched the single-game program record with six RBI in a win over Mercer on Feb. 22.
Pickens delivered signature moments in both the 2025 SEC Tournament and 2025 NCAA Tournament. Her 8th inning, three-run blast helped the Rebels break the deadlock and win a thriller over No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament, while her 2-for-3 performance with a first inning home run helped the Rebels clinch the Tucson Regional against No. 12 Arizona in a decisive game three.
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA
It's business as usual for head coach Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners, who once again have national title aspirations after seeing a streak of four consecutive national titles snapped in 2025. This season, the Sooners are 29-2 and off to a 3-0 start in SEC play.
The Sooners feature arguably the most potent offense in the nation, easily leading the nation in home runs (119), while also leading the nation in batting average (.451), scoring (12.94 runs per game), on base percentage (.541) and hits (392) among several categories.
Leading the charge is freshman catcher Kendall Wells, who has 22 home runs and 47 RBI while hitting .411. Wells is one of six Sooners with 10 or more home runs so far this season. Kasidi Pickering is one of the most dangerous of them all, hitting .506 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI. Wells, Pickering, Ella Parker and Gabbie Garcia have each driven in over 40 runs so far this year.
In comparison to the gaudy offensive numbers, the rotation seems more pedestrian, but the Sooner rotation remains one of the most dangerous in the country. Much of the load has come from a somewhat surprising source in sophomore left hander Audrey Lowry, who threw just 43 innings all of last season and is 13-1 with 2.35 ERA (59.2 IP) so far in 2026.
Adding to Lowry's production is the transfer duo of Miali Guachino and Sydney Berzon. Guachino is 7-0 with a 2.92 ERA (38.1 IP) and Berzon is 4-1 with a 2.69 ERA (28.2 IP). Freshman Allyssa Parker is another factor on offense and in the circle, as the Sooners seek to lock down its top three heading into postseason play.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
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.
The Rebels (20-11, 0-6 SEC) will open the three-game set against the Sooners (29-2, 3-0 SEC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Game two is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. CT and the finale is set for Monday at 6 p.m. CT. The opener will be streamed on SEC Network Plus, while games two and three will be televised on the SEC Network.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss welcomes No. 4 Oklahoma to Oxford for the first time in program history and for the first meeting between the two sides since Oklahoma joined the SEC.
- The most notable meetings between the two sides came in the 2016 NCAA Norman Regional.
- Freshman Madi George has been the breakout star of the season thus far, hitting a sizzling .417 with a team-high nine home runs and 19 walks, while adding 28 RBI through the first 31 games of her career.
- Sophomore Persy Llamas remains hot as well, hitting .392 through the first 31 games with five home runs and 27 RBI. Llamas leads the team with 40 hits and seven doubles.
- The Rebels have hit 39 home runs in 2026, averaging 1.26 home runs per game. The Rebels set a program record last season with 67 home runs in 63 games (1.06 per game).
- Defense has become paramount for the Rebels, who are 13-2 when they don't make an error, versus 7-9 when making one or more errors.
- Taylor Roman is in the midst of a breakout campaign in SEC play thus far, hitting .400 with two home runs, a double and six RBI in six games against No. 4 Alabama and No. 2 Texas.
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
The Rebels continue a grueling schedule by facing its third consecutive top-five opponent in SEC play in No. 4 Oklahoma this weekend. The Rebels own the third-most difficult schedule in nation and the hardest in the SEC, standing behind only Nebraska and Georgia Tech.
Ole Miss has six non-conference midweeks remaining as SEC play gets into full gear, with each game generating added importance in the face of at least two more series against top-10 opponents.
The Rebels have already filled the schedule with road opportunities, going 11-5 outside of Oxford in non-conference play. The Rebels have 15 games remaining against the current RPI top-25, headlined by three against No. 1 Tennessee.
NATIONAL NODS
The Rebels have earned national recognition has the program gets into March, with three Rebels being tabbed to Softball America's March Position Power Rankings. Leading the charge is freshman Madi George, who was named as the No. 11 utility player in the nation according to Softball America. Persy Llamas was tabbed as the No. 12 first baseman, while Mackenzie Pickens was selected as the No. 14 second baseman in the country.
FINDING THE FORMULA
The Rebels have found their success when the two middle of the order hitters, Persy Llamas and Madi George, are able to drive in runs. The Rebels are 11-3 when Llamas tallies an RBI and 9-8 when she does not, while the Rebels are 14-3 when George tallies an RBI and 6-8 when she does not.
Additionally, if only one of the two drive in a run, the Rebels are 18-5 in those games and 2-6 overall when neither tallies an RBI.
ACT TWO
Persy Llamas took the SEC by storm as a freshman and returns to anchor an offense with plenty of potent bats in 2026. Llamas not only hit .354 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 55 RBI last season, while striking out only 11 times, but also matched teammate Aliyah Binford in setting a new single-season RBI record at Ole Miss.
Her efforts across the postseason were heroic. Llamas went from hitting a three-run blast against No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament win, to tallying three home runs in three games against No. 12 Arizona to secure the NCAA Regional, to driving in the first two runs ever scored by the Rebels in a Women's College World Series against No. 16 Oregon. Llamas took home All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-South Region Second Team honors following the season.
As a result of her achievements, the nation has paid attention in 2026. Llamas was recently tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason Team, as well as earning a top-100 player and top-10 player at first base nod from Softball America this offseason.
This season, Llamas has kept pace, hitting a sizzling .392 with five home runs and 27 RBI through 31 games, headlined by a walk-off double in a win over Miami.
Llamas already has eyes on the all-time record books at Ole Miss, standing just three home runs away from entering the top-10 in program history. Additionally, her .992 fielding percentage at first base has already put her among the Rebels all-time best.
A STAR IS BORN
After multiple NFCA All-Region honorees from last season's freshman class, the Rebels have unearthed another freshman star in Madi George.
George has quickly taken over as the cleanup hitter in the early portion of her college career, hitting .417 with nine home runs, 13 total extra-base hits, 28 RBI and 19 walks. George leads the Rebels in home runs, walks, RBI, slugging percentage and OBP.
A natural first baseman who has seen most of her time split between right field and designated player thus far, George is following in a similar path as the Rebels current first baseman, sophomore Persy Llamas, who went on to a very successful freshman season. Llamas hit .368 with four home runs and 33 RBI through her first 31 collegiate games last season.
RETURN OF THE MACK
Another breakout star for the Rebels in 2025 was the dynamic Mackenzie Pickens, who stepped right into a key middle infield role and shined en route to NFCA All-South Region Third Team honors. This season, Pickens will take on an even bigger role on both sides of the ball.
Pickens delivered a sensational debut season in Oxford, hitting .328 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases. That play has carried over into 2026 thus far, as Pickens is hitting .15 with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Pickens matched the single-game program record with six RBI in a win over Mercer on Feb. 22.
Pickens delivered signature moments in both the 2025 SEC Tournament and 2025 NCAA Tournament. Her 8th inning, three-run blast helped the Rebels break the deadlock and win a thriller over No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament, while her 2-for-3 performance with a first inning home run helped the Rebels clinch the Tucson Regional against No. 12 Arizona in a decisive game three.
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA
It's business as usual for head coach Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners, who once again have national title aspirations after seeing a streak of four consecutive national titles snapped in 2025. This season, the Sooners are 29-2 and off to a 3-0 start in SEC play.
The Sooners feature arguably the most potent offense in the nation, easily leading the nation in home runs (119), while also leading the nation in batting average (.451), scoring (12.94 runs per game), on base percentage (.541) and hits (392) among several categories.
Leading the charge is freshman catcher Kendall Wells, who has 22 home runs and 47 RBI while hitting .411. Wells is one of six Sooners with 10 or more home runs so far this season. Kasidi Pickering is one of the most dangerous of them all, hitting .506 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI. Wells, Pickering, Ella Parker and Gabbie Garcia have each driven in over 40 runs so far this year.
In comparison to the gaudy offensive numbers, the rotation seems more pedestrian, but the Sooner rotation remains one of the most dangerous in the country. Much of the load has come from a somewhat surprising source in sophomore left hander Audrey Lowry, who threw just 43 innings all of last season and is 13-1 with 2.35 ERA (59.2 IP) so far in 2026.
Adding to Lowry's production is the transfer duo of Miali Guachino and Sydney Berzon. Guachino is 7-0 with a 2.92 ERA (38.1 IP) and Berzon is 4-1 with a 2.69 ERA (28.2 IP). Freshman Allyssa Parker is another factor on offense and in the circle, as the Sooners seek to lock down its top three heading into postseason play.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
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
RHP/INF
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INF
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RHP
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LHP/UT
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INF
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UT
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