Jamie Trachsel reveals keys to mounting comeback against Missouri

We have a good one on our hands on the Plains, with Missouri currently up 3-0 over Ole Miss heading into the fourth inning. The Tigers are the five-seed in the SEC Tournament while Jamie Tracshel’s team is hoping to pull off the upset in the first round. Instead, they are fighting to come back and avoid an early exit.

An early pitching change had to occur for Ole Miss, with Makenna Kliethermes coming in during the third inning. Brianna Lopez did not have her best stuff, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks in 2.2 innings pitched. Not what you want from your starter in a single-elimination tournament.

Tracshel called upon Kliethermes and is expecting big things the rest of the way. If Ole Miss is going to win, not allowing any more runs is likely required. Warming up for a little bit, the time for Kliethermes to perform is now.

“Just to get settled in,” Trachsel said when speaking with ESPN’s Alyssa Lang. “She’s been ready for a while. Grace and Bri have done a great job. So, it’s a great opportunity for her to get settled in, get some good innings. But she’s been ready for a while and I expect her to have a good performance here.”

On the offensive side, Ole Miss has not been on base too often. Just two hits and a walk are on the box score, quickly being nullified by Missouri’s Laurin Krings in the circle.

Trachsel says the pitches are there for the Rebels to hit and good contact has been made. They are just falling right in the lap of Mizzou fielders. Continuing to get barrels on the ball, while knowing the Tigers are going to be aggressive in the circle, is how Trachsel sees the success coming.

“Just staying disciplined at the plate,” Trachsel said. “We put some good balls in play too. They attack early in the zone. So, just want to make sure we’re ready and we’re on time, and have some good entry into the zone to barrel up some balls here.”

No matter who winds up winning, Florida will be on the other side waiting. Getting to the quarterfinals would be a nice achievement for both programs as Missouri is looking for its first-ever SEC Tournament championship and Ole Miss searching for its first since 2017.

A fun few innings ahead at Jane B. Moore Field.