Pitching Shines as Ole Miss Softball Bests No. 5 Tennessee, Advances to SEC Quarterfinals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Release)– Behind a terrific effort in the circle from Kyra Aycock and Emilee Boyer, the Ole Miss softball program kept on rolling, defeating No. 5 Tennessee, 4-1, on Wednesday evening at John Cropp Stadium.

Aycock and Boyer combined to allow just four hits and one earned run, while walking three and striking out four to lead the Rebels (34-23, 6-18 SEC). Madi George paced the offense with two RBI, as the Rebels outhit the Lady Volunteers (42-10, 16-8 SEC), 7-4.

After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Volunteers were able to strike for a run in the second inning with an RBI single. However, Aycock was able to pitch out of further trouble from there.

Aycock did the same in the third inning, stifling the Lady Volunteers, who got two runners on, but subsequently followed it up with an infield fly and weak groundout to keep the score at 1-0.

The Rebels would not go away and were able to secure a response in the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles by Mackenzie Pickens and Persy Llamas set up George with a run-scoring opportunity. The freshman put the ball in play and the ball got under the glove of the Lady Volunteer second baseman, allowing Pickens to score and tie the game at 1-1.

From there, the Rebels were able to get pinch runner Cassidy Patterson to third base, before Tenly Grisham continued her big tournament, roping a single up the middle to make it 2-1.

After another scoreless frame from Aycock, the Rebels struck for more runs in the fifth inning. A walk issued to Ryan Starr started the run, as Pickens drew a hit-by-pitch and Llamas walked to set up George. Once again, the freshman came through in the clutch, driving home two with a single up the middle to make it 4-1.

In the fifth inning, the Rebels turned to Boyer in relief of Aycock, who was sharp, generating three quick outs to keep the Rebel lead intact.

The Rebels nearly added on in the sixth inning, as Grisham reached on a third strike, wild pitch and Taylor Malvin singled to set up Kennedy Bunker. The senior came through with a single, but Grisham was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second.

Despite a Tennessee single in the sixth inning, Boyer picked up where she left off in the SEC Tournament opener and after a scoreless sixth, she punctuated the win with an emphatic strikeout to end the game.

The Rebels are back in action on Thursday, facing the fourth-seeded and No. 6 Texas Longhorns. The game is set for 4 p.m. CT and will be televised on the SEC Network.

-Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports