After a disappointing showing versus the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs from March 8-10, fans and critics alike had low expectations for the Ole Miss Rebels going into their series against No. 2 LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on March 16-18. Despite being the overwhelming underdog, however, Ole Miss pulled off the impossible and stole two games and the series from the second-highest-ranked college softball team in the country.
Game one (lost 0-3)
Ole Miss dropped the opening game to the Tigers on Saturday, turning up the pressure for the next two games if the Lady Rebels wanted to return to Oxford with a series win. Ole Miss did not score a single run throughout the game and only had two hits. LSU’s top ranking showed in this game, with the Tigers boasting an elite defense and just enough offense to claim game one.
In this one, the Rebels committed two errors, which accounted for two of LSU’s runs. The Lady Tigers also had six hits in this game, granting them enough runners on base to score at will.
LSU was undefeated coming into this game, and that streak looked almost unbreakable after this game one shutout. The challenge was set for Ole Miss.
Game two (won 5-2)
Due to inclement weather, the Lady Rebels took the field at 7 p.m. instead of the original 4 p.m. start time.
The Lady Tigers took the lead by scoring first in the second and fourth innings, with both runs scored on sacrifice flies. While it looked like LSU would claim the series in the Sunday game, Ole Miss answered back in the last two innings to complicate LSU’s plans.
The Lady Rebels took over in the sixth inning, scoring two runs and tying the game. Singles from both catcher Lexie Brady and left fielder Jaden Pone put Ole Miss on the board. Then, three errors committed by LSU allowed the Lady Rebels to score three runs in the seventh inning, breaking the tie.
When the final pitch hit the catcher’s hand, the Lady Rebels surprised the Lady Tigers by snagging the win and tying the series, handing the elite LSU team its first loss of the season. With this win, Ole Miss also grabbed its best victory of the season.
Game three (won 9-2)
On Monday, Ole Miss won game three and the series over LSU in a 9-2 beatdown. The Lady Rebels started hot in the second inning by scoring three runs. Thanks to the help of centerfielder Jalia Lassiter and Pone’s singles to get those three runs in, Ole Miss had all the momentum.
A home run from the designated player Aynslie Furbush put the Rebels at 4-0 in just three innings.
The Tigers tried to close the gap with a home run in the third inning and another run in the fourth. However, the Lady Rebels did not let them get away with this, and they scored four runs in the fifth inning.
With 13 total hits and bases loaded a couple of times in the fifth inning, the Tigers could not keep up with the Lady Rebels. LSU had seven hits but did not manage to get far with them, as they only scored two runs.
With this huge series win over a top-two team, the Lady Rebels moved to an even 3-3 conference record and 20-8 overall.
What’s next?
The Lady Rebels will return home and host the University of Georgia Bulldogs for a three-game series from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24. The first game will be at 6 p.m. CT.
