The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, March 28
Knoxville, Tenn.
1 PM
Ole Miss
23-14, 2-9
2
at
1
Tennessee
29-5, 6-5
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Ole Miss
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
Tennessee
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
6
1
Aycock Shines as Softball Secures Series at No. 4 Tennessee
3/28/2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second consecutive day, the Ole Miss softball program rode elite pitching en route to a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Aycock shined for the Rebels (23-14, 2-9 SEC), tossing a complete game and allowed just one unearned run on six hits and striking out two. Aycock managed to out duel Lady Volunteers (29-5, 6-5 SEC) starter Karlyn Pickens, while Mackenzie Pickens' RBI was enough to secure the victory.
The Rebels secured its first series win over the Lady Vols since 2022 and secured the first ever series win in Knoxville with the victory.
After a quick start in game one, the Rebels had to weather an early storm from the Lady Vols, who tallied two singles in the first inning. Nevertheless, Aycock generated a double play and strikeout to get out of the frame unscathed.
A quick second inning gave way to a breakthrough for the Rebels in the third inning. Laylonna Applin led off the frame with a single and Ryan Starr walked to set up Taylor Malvin. Malvin was able to reach on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases with no outs for Kennedy Bunker.
Bunker was able to put the ball in play and her ensuing pop up was dropped in left field allowing the first run of the game to come home for a 1-0 lead. From there, Pickens picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice on the next at bat to extend the lead to 2-0. However, the Lady Vols were able to stop any further progress by the Rebels in the frame.
Aycock continued to cruise, working around a fourth inning single to keep Tennessee scoreless. However, the Lady Vols finally broke through in the fifth inning, as benefactors of the Rebel defense losing the ball in the sun for a leadoff double, followed by a passed ball that allowed Tennessee's Sophia Knight an opportunity to drive in a run, which she accomplished to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Rebels nearly had an immediate response, as Cassie Reasner led off the sixth inning with a double. After a Tenly Grisham walk, Applin moved both into scoring position with a fly out. However, Tennessee starter Karlyn Pickens generated a strikeout and ground out to escape further trouble.
Aycock responded with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to take the lead into the seventh inning. Tennessee put immediate pressure on the senior with a leadoff single, but Aycock generated a pop out, followed by a key double play into the hands of Pickens to close out the victory.
The Rebels will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon, facing the Lady Vols at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
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.
Aycock shined for the Rebels (23-14, 2-9 SEC), tossing a complete game and allowed just one unearned run on six hits and striking out two. Aycock managed to out duel Lady Volunteers (29-5, 6-5 SEC) starter Karlyn Pickens, while Mackenzie Pickens' RBI was enough to secure the victory.
The Rebels secured its first series win over the Lady Vols since 2022 and secured the first ever series win in Knoxville with the victory.
After a quick start in game one, the Rebels had to weather an early storm from the Lady Vols, who tallied two singles in the first inning. Nevertheless, Aycock generated a double play and strikeout to get out of the frame unscathed.
A quick second inning gave way to a breakthrough for the Rebels in the third inning. Laylonna Applin led off the frame with a single and Ryan Starr walked to set up Taylor Malvin. Malvin was able to reach on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases with no outs for Kennedy Bunker.
Bunker was able to put the ball in play and her ensuing pop up was dropped in left field allowing the first run of the game to come home for a 1-0 lead. From there, Pickens picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice on the next at bat to extend the lead to 2-0. However, the Lady Vols were able to stop any further progress by the Rebels in the frame.
Aycock continued to cruise, working around a fourth inning single to keep Tennessee scoreless. However, the Lady Vols finally broke through in the fifth inning, as benefactors of the Rebel defense losing the ball in the sun for a leadoff double, followed by a passed ball that allowed Tennessee's Sophia Knight an opportunity to drive in a run, which she accomplished to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Rebels nearly had an immediate response, as Cassie Reasner led off the sixth inning with a double. After a Tenly Grisham walk, Applin moved both into scoring position with a fly out. However, Tennessee starter Karlyn Pickens generated a strikeout and ground out to escape further trouble.
Aycock responded with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to take the lead into the seventh inning. Tennessee put immediate pressure on the senior with a leadoff single, but Aycock generated a pop out, followed by a key double play into the hands of Pickens to close out the victory.
The Rebels will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon, facing the Lady Vols at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Aycock, Kyra (9-6)
L: Karlyn Pickens (7-3)
Batting:
2B: Reasner, Cassie 1
RBI: Pickens, Mackenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Applin, Laylonna 1 ; Starr, Ryan 1
HBP: Bunker, Kennedy 1
Batting:
2B: Sophia Knight 1 ; Maddi Rutan 1
RBI: Sophia Knight 1
SH: Bella Faw 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taelyn Holley 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
lf/rf
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
0
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballSB at No. 4 Tennessee (3-28-2026)
Saturday, March 28
HIGHLIGHTS: SB at No. 4 Tennessee (3-27-2026)
Friday, March 27
HIGHLIGHTS: Softball vs.UAB(03/25/26)
Wednesday, March 25
HIGHLIGHTS: Softball vs.LA Tech(03/18/26)
Wednesday, March 18