Boyer Spins Gem as Ole Miss Softball Downs No. 23 South Carolina to Open SEC Tournament

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Release)—Ole Miss softball senior Emilee Boyer delivered a performance for the ages, spinning a complete game gem in the circle to power the softball program past No. 23 and 12th-seeded South Carolina, 2-0, in the opening round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday night at John Cropp Stadium.

Boyer allowed just four hits, while striking out six and walking only one batter to power the Rebels (33-23, 6-18 SEC) to a fifth consecutive opening round win at the SEC Tournament. Persy Llamas delivered a solo home run in the victory, as the Rebel offense outdueled the Gamecocks (30-26, 7-17 SEC).

The Rebels opened the day with a bang, as Llamas struck for a solo home run in the first inning to put Ole Miss in front.

Boyer took the circle for the Rebels and remained composed after South Carolina got an early runner in scoring position, generating weak contact for the final out to keep the 1-0 lead intact.

Boyer kept it up from there, striking out two batters in the second inning and got some help in the third inning from a diving catch in left field by Tenly Grisham to maintain the 1-0 advantage.

While both offenses struggled to get going beyond the early run, Boyer continued to shine, getting a strikeout in the fourth inning and going one-two-three through the frame.

The Rebels struck for an additional run of support in the fifth inning, as Grisham got it started with an infield single. With two outs, Taylor Malvin delivered a clutch double to left center field to beat the shift and score Grisham from first base to take a 2-0 lead.

Boyer’s big day continued from there, as she struck out two more in bottom of the fifth inning to maintain the lead.

The Gamecocks broke up a string of 10 consecutive retired batters by Boyer with a single in the sixth inning, but Boyer stifled any rally attempt, securing a weak groundout to end the inning.

Boyer would go back out for the seventh inning and make quick work of the Gamecocks, generating a foul out and line out, before punctuating the night with a strikeout.

The Rebels are back in action on Wednesday, facing off against No. 5 team in the nation and fifth-seeded Tennessee. The game is slated for 4 p.m. CT and will be televised on the SEC Network.