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Ole Miss softball takes care of business in home opener

11by:Jake Thompson•03/03/22•

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Paige Smith
Paige Smith accounted for the only hit for Ole Miss softball on Sunday

Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations | After opening the season with 16 games on the road, Ole Miss softball finally played in front of its home crowd, taking care of business in a 7-4 victory over Southeast Missouri Wednesday night at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

Freshman Catelyn Riley came in to pitch the final 5.0 innings of the ballgame, keeping the SEMO offense at bay and only surrendering one run. The defense was stout, with shortstop Mikayla Allee returning to the lineup. The senior also had a big day at the plate, finishing with a pair of hits, including her second home run of the season. Tate Whitley also registered a 3-for-4 day at the plate, while Bre Roper drove in a career-high three runs.

The Red Hawks jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame, turning back-to-back doubles into the first run of the ball game. Ole Miss responded with three runs in the bottom of the second. An Allee single and walk from KK Esparza put two on with one out for Nyomi Jones. The speedy outfielder laid down a perfect bunt and forced an errant throw that allowed the Rebels to even things up. Two batters later, Roper ripped a two-RBI single into right to push the lead to 3-1.

SEMO, however, didn’t go away quietly. The Red Hawks continued to string together at-bats and tie the game up at three, forcing Ole Miss to turn to the bullpen with no outs in the third. Riley settled into the ball game and utilized her experienced infield to get out of the jam.

Ole Miss quickly retook the lead in the bottom half of the third. Paige Smith wore a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs in the inning, Allee blasted a two-run home run to dead center field, putting the Rebels out in front once again.

Looking to pull away once and for all, Jones notched her first RBI of the season, slapping an infield single to the first baseman to score Angelina DeLeon. Whitley followed it up with a base hit up the middle to load the bases, and Roper worked the count to walk in a run. Southeast Missouri tacked on a fourth run in the seventh, but it was too late as the Rebels picked up the 7-4 win.

QUICK HITS

• Bre Roper recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season and ninth consecutive game with at least one hit. The senior also drove in a career-high three runs.

• Tate Whitley finished the game with three hits. She now has 29 on the year, tied for the most in the SEC.

• Mikayla Allee recorded her first multi-hit game of the season that featured just her fourth career home run.

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