The Ole Miss Volleyball team welcomed the UT Martin Skyhawks to Oxford for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 3. These games were supposed to be on April 2, but they were postponed due to inclement weather.
The softball team has recently endured back-to-back sweeps and top-25 opponents, so this midweek doubleheader was a nice way to try and get things back on the rails. Ole Miss continued its two-week long struggles in game one, but they were able to right the ship in game two, splitting the Wednesday slate of games with the Skyhawks.
Here is how each game played out.
Game one (lost 1-4)
The Rebels had a rough start to game one, as they gave up three runs in the top of the first inning — all of which were unearned due to two errors committed. This put Ole Miss at a 3-0 disadvantage early in the game.
After a few scoreless innings, the Rebels only had one hit, which was from catcher Lexie Brady. Ole Miss tried to find momentum to help close the run gap or take the lead, but nothing fell in favor of the hometown team.
Ole Miss finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from centerfielder Jalia Lassiter. This put the Rebels back in the game, but they needed to react quickly, as there were only two innings left.
As the cards would fall, UT Martin fired right back in the top of the sixth inning with two hits, one resulting in an RBI. This put the Skyhawks up 4-1, burying the Rebels three runs behind again.
Ole Miss rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning, getting a couple of runners on base in scoring position. However, they were not able to capitalize on this and left the runners on base, ending the inning scoreless.
Things stayed on an even keel as the game wound down. UT Martin’s sixth-inning flurry was more than enough to silence the Lady Rebels on their way to a game-one stunner.
Game two (won 4-2)
Ole Miss came back with some energy in game two, as they struck first in the bottom of the first inning. With hits from first baseman Paige Smith and designated player Aynslie Furbush, Ole Miss leapt to an early 1-0 lead.
However, the lead did not last long, as the Skyhawks scored on a double RBI and a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning. This caused them to take a 2-1 lead over Ole Miss.
The Rebels tied the game in the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run from Brady.
After two scoreless innings, Ole Miss took the lead again with a two-run single from second baseman Angelina DeLeon. This gave the Rebels some cushion going into the last two innings of the game.
The Rebels ended up claiming the game, which tied this two-game series. Right-handed pitcher Catelyn Riley also got her third complete game this season after pitching a successful game.
What’s next?
Ole Miss will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in conference play. This will be a three-game series from April 5 to April 7. The first game will take place on Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m. CT.
