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Ole Miss Softball: No.22 Rebels Drop Game-Two To No.17 South Carolina

By Daniel Skipper

BEIJING - AUGUST 21: The shoes worn by players from the United States remain at home plate after the five players left them there following USA's 3-1 loss to Japan during the women's grand final gold medal softball game at the Fengtai Softball Field during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
BEIJING - AUGUST 21: The shoes worn by players from the United States remain at home plate after the five players left them there following USA's 3-1 loss to Japan during the women's grand final gold medal softball game at the Fengtai Softball Field during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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No.22 Ole Miss softball was coming off a game-one loss to No.17 South Carolina and needed to find a their first SEC game Saturday.

Ole Miss softball (14-9, 0-5) is currently win-less in the SEC and after falling in game-one 7-3 they needed to bounce back Saturday. Of course, the No.17 South Carolina Gamecocks (24-3, 2-0) have been on a roll and the momentum from the game Friday night would be hard for the Rebels to top. The Rebels needed a win in the worst way but the Gamecocks would have something to say about it in the end.

Saturdays game was tight for the first three innings with neither team being able to produce offensively. In the bottom of the 4th the Rebels jumped on the board first with 2 runs. However, the Gamecocks wasted no time responding and added 3 runs in the top of the 5th to take the 3-2 lead. After a scoreless 6th for both teams the Gamecocks added 2 insurance runs in the top of the 7th to take the 5-2 lead into the bottom of the final frame. The Rebels couldn’t produce and fell in the 5-2 decision.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see Ole Miss softball is struggling. It’s a shame to have the high level of pitching from the Rebels staff and see the team struggle at the plate. This Ole Miss softball team can hit and are just in a really rough slump. They have to be able to hit the ball in the SEC if they are going to win games. Of course, it’s easy for us to see the deficiencies when we look at the final numbers from game-two.

By The Numbers

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Freshman lefty Anna Borgen drew the start in the circle for coach Mike Smith and the Rebels. Borgen went 5 complete innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits. Borgen had 4 Ks and 1 BB. Senior Kaitlin Lee entered in the 6th and allowed 2 earned runs on 2 hits. Freshman Ava Tillman entered in relief in the 7th and finished out the game for the Rebels facing the final two batters. Tillman allowed no hits.

At the plate the Rebels were once again stymied by South Carolina pitching striking out 7 times against Dixie Raley. In the game three Rebels combined for a mere 3 hits and only 2 runs. Junior transfer Celeste Wood went 1 for 3 with a RBI. Wood also scored a run. Red-shirt sophomore Autumn Gillespie also went 1 for 3 and had a RBI. Sophomore Kaylee Horton went 1 for 3 and scored a run.

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It is very obvious three hits will not win games against teams of the caliber of South Carolina. It may sound like a broken record but until this Rebels team begins to hit the ball effectively and consistently there may be many more games like the first two of this series. Of course, this team can hit the ball and produce runs but they need to start doing it. For Ole Miss softball it’s not a question of if, but when? A 0-6 SEC record to begin the season will be a deep hole to dig out of.

No.22 Ole Miss softball will try avoid their second SEC series sweep today against the No.17 South Carolina Gamecocks. First pitch from the Ole Miss Softball Complex in Oxford is set for 1pm CT and will televised via SEC Network+. Good luck to coach Mike Smith and the Rebels! BEAT THE ROOSTERS! Hotty Toddy!

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