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Ole Miss Softball: Rebels Open SEC Tourney Today Against LSU

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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Ole Miss softball hopes to find the same success in the SEC Tourney they had in 2017, but they have to start with LSU Wednesday.

Ole Miss softball begins the SEC Softball Tourney Wednesday in Columbia, Missouri and the Rebels first test will be a tough one. The Rebels will be facing the LSU Tigers in their first game. Last season we saw the Rebels shift into tourney mode and win the SEC Tourney.

Of course, Ole Miss enters the tourney coming off a series win over No.5 Georgia this past weekend in Oxford. LSU enters the match-up coming off a series sweep of Arkansas. The two teams met earlier this season and the series fell in favor of the Tigers in Baton Rouge.

https://twitter.com/OleMissSoftball/status/993979298792050688

Like most SEC softball teams both Ole Miss and LSU rely heavily on their pitching staffs. Of course, with Ole Miss we can expect a heavy dose of senior Kaitlin Lee who was the catalyst behind the Rebels SEC tourney championship and postseason runs in 2017. We can be sure Lee will be dominant and will have to be for Ole Miss softball to repeat their success from a year ago.

A Look At Lee

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Senior right-hander Kaitlin Lee has gone down as not just one of the best pitchers in the SEC but also in the nation. While she has been at Ole Miss she has been a force in the circle and a team leader both on and off the field. The fire she has for the game and her teammates is undeniable. Of course, pitchers are weighed and measured based upon their performance in the circle and there has been no other like her.

Of course, we saw her have a breakout season in 2017 and saw a number of school records fall because of her arm. Per OleMissSports.com Lee broke the school single-season records for complete games (27), shutouts (10), innings pitched (249.2) and starts (37). This season we’ve seen Lee struggle at times but naturally she has bounced back and is in solid form entering the SEC tourney.

Other Rebels To Watch

This Ole Miss softball team is loaded with stars who can make an impact in the SEC Tourney. Seniors Elantra Cox and Paige McKinney are both essential in the Rebels success. Juniors Kylan Becker and Brittany Finney will also need to have big games today. Sophomore Kaylee Horton has shown she can produce offensively as well as play great defense. Freshmen Amanda Roth and Anna Borgen are also expected to be key in the game. Borgen will likely see time in the circle in relief.

Next: Don't Give Up Just Yet!

Of course, it will take great pitching and relentless plate presence to tame the Tigers. If Ole Miss pitching can be dominant and the Rebels can produce offensively then the match-up should fall the way of the Rebels. First pitch from Columbia, Missouri is set for 4pm CT and the game will be televised via the SEC Network. Good luck to coach Mike Smith and the Rebels. BEAT THE CORNDOGS! Hotty Toddy!

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