Ole Miss Softball: Rebels Take Oxford Regional, Advance To Supers

Ole Miss softball continued its winning streak in a huge 7-4 over the North Carolina Tar Heels Sunday afternoon. In dramatic come from behind fashion, the Ole Miss Rebels took the NCAA Oxford Regional Championship and advance to the super-regional for the first time in program history.

Advancing to the finals in the Oxford Regional in two games was huge and historic for Ole Miss softball. Behind the strong-arm of right-hander Kaitlin Lee, the Rebels have ripped thru the competition thus far in the postseason. Sunday afternoon the Rebels proved their postseason prowess once again, but they did it with offense. They did it with something else too. The Rebels won with passion. Ole Miss fans can tell this team is different just by the win Sunday and the way it played out.

Once again, Kaitlin Lee was as strong as she ever is. Lee was solid even though the Tar Heels attacked early and got a 2 run lead. However, behind Lee and a strong offensive output, the Rebels powered back to take control of the game and get the 7-2 win. Lee has proven she can go back to back to back and from a momentum standpoint, she is by far the best in the nation at this point. I know of no other pitcher in the nation who has gone 7 complete consecutive game wins at this point of the postseason.

Of course, Lee is a great pitcher. There is something else about Kaitlin Lee which stands out. She has fire. Even the ESPN softball analyst commented numerous times throughout the regional that she had a warrior mindset. The one thing most Rebel fans see when they read about her are the numbers but Lee is more than just a great pitcher. Lee and the rest of this team are fighters.

Attitude, Energy And Numbers

More from Ole Miss Softball

When someone picks up the box score from a Ole Miss softball game, the first thing we look at is the numbers. The stats are what we use to measure the game, however it’s the individual players which we see the most. Of course, we see the players who shine throughout the game, series, or tourney. However, you don’t see the attitude and energy. Or do you?

When you look at the Ole Miss numbers you see a variety of things, especially in a record-setting season. Records are produced from attitude, energy and numbers. Of course, if your team is still playing, you obviously have the attitude and energy.

Since entering the SEC Tourney, the Rebels are 7-0 and simply running thru the competition. The amazing thing is watching the attitude of this team and how well the energy has grown since the regular season ended. Sunday, even when the Rebels were behind 2-0, there was no lack of energy in the team. Everybody was fired up from the start and it only got stronger as the game went on. Sunday, Ole Miss softball proved, though they may be behind they are never down.

Of course, 7-0 right now is the most important number. However, there will be more numbers to come as the Rebels continue to the supers. For now, let’s look at Sunday’s numbers.

In The Circle

Once again, in her 12th consecutive start Kaitlin Lee has shown she has the hot arm. The funny thing, by previous ‘numbers’, Lee had her worst game of the postseason thus far. The only hiccups being the 2 walks she issued in Sunday’s game.

Kaitlin Lee is prolific as a Ole Miss pitcher. Besides being the Ole Miss leading pitcher, Lee is a leader for this Ole Miss softball team, she holds the flag for the rest of this team. Both in and out of the circle Lee has shown she is a leader but also a Ole Miss Rebel. Lee displayed that with another huge pitching performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

On the day, Lee was outstanding once again. Lee went another complete game and only allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits. Lee had 6 Ks while giving up 2 walks. However, her spirit in the dugout was her best showing. She is always fired up and always ready. Lee has a strong passion for the game, her team, and Ole Miss.

At The Plate

When you look at the stats, offensively, the Rebels were on fire in the box Sunday. Against UNC, 8 Rebel batters tallied 14 hits. The Rebel lineup only claimed 3 strikeouts while gaining 2 walks at the plate.

By the numbers, Elantra Cox (.438) had a 3 for 3 day at the plate and scored 2 runs. Brittany Finney (.247) went 2 for 4 and had a huge HR with 3 RBI. However, the most impressive number of the day, in my opinion, went to Miranda Strother. Strother (.319) went 3 for 4 on the day and knocked in 2 RBI.

Also getting into the mix at the plate was Courtney Syrett (.250) who went 1 for 3 and knocked in an RBI. Ashton Lampton (.244) and Paige McKinney (.305) also both went 1 for 3 at the plate. Kylan Becker (.378) went 1 for 4 on the afternoon and scored a run. Dylinn Stancil (.261) made a pinch hit appearance and went 1 for .

When the Ole Miss softball team hits the way they did Sunday they don’t get beat. Hopefully the days off will give them a little rest but they won’t cool off.

Super-regional Is Next

Ole Miss softball (43-18) will travel to the west coast to take on the UCLA Bruins (45-13). The three game series will begin Thursday night and run thru Saturday. First pitch from Los Angeles is set for 8pm CT and will be televised on ESPN.

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