The Ole Miss Softball hosted its second straight SEC series this weekend, playing the South Carolina Gamecocks from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31. USC is the third-straight ranked opponent the Lady Rebels have played in a series, and it seemed like it finally took a toll on them, as the Lady Gamecocks waltzed out of Oxford with a 3-0 series sweep over the Lady Rebels.
Game one (lost 0-2)
On a warm and sunny Friday evening, the Rebels started their series against the Gamecocks in high spirits. This was the closest game of this grueling series, as Ole Miss took South Carolina to nine innings. The defense from the pitching mound was outstanding in this long affair, but the Lady Rebels’ bats could not get anything going to even things up.
Neither the Rebels nor the Gamecocks could not score through the regular seven innings, making the game go into extra innings. This would have given Ole Miss a chance, especially since the Rebels batted last, but the team could not match South Carolina’s two runs scored in the top of the ninth inning.
This gave the Gamecocks their first conference win, and the Lady Rebels fell to 3-7 in SEC play.
Game two (lost 3-8)
For the second straight game, the Lady Rebels struggled from the batter’s box. They could not clinch this game to tie the series, dropping their second series in a row at home.
Ole Miss scored first in the bottom of the first inning from a single RBI from designated player Aynslie Furbush. Unfortunately for Ole Miss, this would be the last time the Rebels would score until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Ole Miss also gave up three home runs to South Carolina, which helped the Gamecocks extend their lead to seven runs by the final inning. An error from the Rebels and a successful attempt to steal home base from the Gamecocks gave South Carolina two of its runs.
While the Rebels were able to score two runs in the final inning, they fell short and handed the Gamecocks their first conference series win.
Game three (lost 0-4)
Ole Miss dropped the final game of the series to South Carolina on March 31, Easter Sunday. Despite having six hits — their best batting performance of the weekend — Ole Miss was not able to capitalize on the improvement, as they did not score any runs. The Rebels also left five runners on base, which contributed to the lack of scoring.
South Carolina also had another home run in this game at the top of the third inning. This gave the Gamecocks a 2-0, and the Rebels could not match it.
The Rebels have now dropped to 3-9 in conference play with only one series win against the LSU Tigers.
What’s next?
Ole Miss will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. This will be a three-game series from April 5-7. The first game will be on Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m. CT.
