The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, February 13
Hattiesburg, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
at
Southern Miss
Softball Set for Trips to Southern Miss, Louisiana
2/12/2025 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – After a 4-1 week in Boca Raton, the Ole Miss softball program returns to action, as they travel for a midweek clash with Southern Miss and a three-day stint at the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational.
The Rebels (4-1, 0-0 SEC), will face the Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-0 Sun Belt) in a rescheduled clash on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
From there, the Rebels head to Lafayette, La., to face hosts Louisiana (3-2, 0-0 Sun Belt), Sam Houston (3-2, 0-0 CUSA), Northern Illinois (2-3, 0-0 MAC) and Central Arkansas (1-4, 0-0 ASUN) for five games over three days.
LEADING OFF
MEETING OF THE MINDS
Joining head coach Jamie Trachsel in 2025 are a highly accomplished trio of new coaches, who bring decades of championship experience to Oxford.
A longtime head coach at Missouri, Ehren Earleywine returns to the college game after reaching three Women's College World Series while in Columbia. Earleywine recorded nearly 600 wins over 14 seasons and helped develop countless All-American, All-Region and All-Conference student athletes.
One of the most successful and highly decorated pitchers in NCAA history, Nancy Evans joins as the team's pitching coach. Evans won three national championships in her playing career at the University of Arizona (1994-98) and still holds the NCAA record with a .939 career winning percentage (124-8 overall record). Last season, Evans served on staff at UIC as the Flames' pitching coach, where she helped UIC post a 3.43 team ERA, its best mark since 2018.
A brilliant recruiter and offensive mind, Bobby Buchanan joins the Rebels after a stint at Texas A&M, where he was the director of player development for their NCAA Super Regional squad.
NEW BLOOD
The Rebels will feature a number of new faces in 2025, as the team welcomes 16 newcomers, compared to 10 returners to the roster. Eight of the 16 are true freshmen, while the remaining half are transfers. Despite this, the Rebels still have an experienced lineup, with 11 seniors and several transfers with plenty of NCAA Tournament experience.
FAB FRESHMEN
Eight of the 16 newcomers to Oxford are true freshmen, as the Rebels injected some youth into the program. Several of those freshmen have already caught national attention, as four were named to Softball America's Freshman Watch List - pitchers Miali Guachino and Abby Herndon, two-way player Persy Llamas and infielder Mackenzie Pickens were all named to the list. Herndon was also named to D1Softball's Top-100 Freshman List.
The quartet is also joined by catcher Rachel Connors, infielder Tate Davis, outfielder Addison Duke and pitcher Graycen Jordan. As a unit the Rebel freshmen provide strong depth to the roster after standout high school careers.
It proved to be a dream start for the freshmen class, as Miali Guachino leads the SEC in strikeouts after the opening week (24), while Persy Llamas leads the team with eight RBI. Tate Davis (first hit), Addison Duke (first RBI) and Mackenzie Pickens (first hit and RBI) also got involved.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN MISS
At 1-4 on the young season, Southern Miss returns home for their home opener after competing at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic.
Under third year head coach and long-time head veteran Natalie Poole, the Golden Eagles are seeking their first winning season since 2022. Redshirt freshman Kayce Bennett has gotten off to a strong start in her career, hitting .444 in four starts to begin the season. Senior Ryanna Valdivia will be called upon for key at-bats and owns the team's lone home run this season.
Jana Lee continues to lead the Golden Eagles after an All-Sun Belt Second Team performance in 2024. Lee is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA (14.0 IP) and 11 strikeouts to begin the season, but will need help, as the rest of the staff holds a 13.70 ERA (15.1 IP).
SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON
After a 3-0 start, the Bearkats slowed down with losses to Texas-based foes Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Texas to open the season.
Seventh year head coach Garrett Valis has the Bearkats hopeful for a big campaign after a strong offensive start, as the team hit .298 over five games. Sophomore Bella Perez (.462 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and senior Brodie Quinlan (.438 BA, 4 XBH, 4 RBI) are off to solid starts on offense, while a versatile pitching corps is pitching to a 2.33 ERA so far in 2025.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
An NCAA regional host a year ago, the 3-2 Ragin' Cajuns are looking for momentum after an early loss to Seton Hall. First year head coach Alyson Habetz leads the way.
The offense is starting fast, as Kayla Falterman is hitting .700, while freshmen Emily Smith is off to a promising start, hitting .400 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Junior Cecelia Vasquez leads the team with seven RBI. Mallory Wheeler (1-0, 0.66 ERA) and Sam Ryan (1-0, 0.72 ERA) opened the year with a bang in the circle.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
After a 2-3 weekend at Grand Canyon, the Huskies head back across the country with some intriguing bats. Seniors Jenna Turner and Madison Matthews are each hitting well over .400, while junior Danielle Stewart has a team leading six RBI and a home run.
In her first season at NIU after nine at Northern Kentucky, Kathryn Gleason is seeking to return the Huskies back to the top of the challenging MAC.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS
A perennial ASUN power, Central Arkansas is seeking a return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year reprieve in 2024, but enters the weekend at 1-4.
Nevertheless, the Sugar Bears opened the season with a key non-conference win over Southeastern Louisiana and took Charlotte to the wire. Head coach Jenny Parsons has recorded 109 wins in just over three seasons and will depend on her young lineup, including team RBI leader LJ Smith (.308 BA and 5 RBI).
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
The Rebels (4-1, 0-0 SEC), will face the Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-0 Sun Belt) in a rescheduled clash on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
From there, the Rebels head to Lafayette, La., to face hosts Louisiana (3-2, 0-0 Sun Belt), Sam Houston (3-2, 0-0 CUSA), Northern Illinois (2-3, 0-0 MAC) and Central Arkansas (1-4, 0-0 ASUN) for five games over three days.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss plays softball in Mississippi for the first time this season, taking a midweek stop to Southern Miss, before returning to Lafayette, La., for the first time since the 2024 NCAA Regional for the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational.
- The Rebels are looking for their first win in Lafayette against the Ragin' Cajuns since 2009.
- Senior Taylor Roman is set to face her former team (Louisiana) while senior Star Ferguson will face her sister (Paris Ferguson, Southern Miss).
- Two-way star Aliyah Binford was named as a preseason Second Team All-American by Softball America as part of several honors since transferring in from Baylor.
- Four Rebel freshmen - Miali Guachino, Abby Herndon, Persy Llamas and Mackenzie Pickens were all named to Softball America's Freshman Watch List.
- The Rebel freshmen started strong, with Miali Guachino leading the SEC in strikeouts (24) after week one and Persy Llamas leading the team in RBI (eight).
- Junior Taylor Malvin is off to a scorching start, hitting .700 through the opening week.
- The Rebels add 16 newcomers in 2025, with eight freshmen and eight transfers joining a group of 10 returners, including Lexie Brady, Angelina DeLeon, Brianna Lopez, Jamie Mackay, Jaden Pone and Ryan Starr, who all saw significant starting time in 2024.
MEETING OF THE MINDS
Joining head coach Jamie Trachsel in 2025 are a highly accomplished trio of new coaches, who bring decades of championship experience to Oxford.
A longtime head coach at Missouri, Ehren Earleywine returns to the college game after reaching three Women's College World Series while in Columbia. Earleywine recorded nearly 600 wins over 14 seasons and helped develop countless All-American, All-Region and All-Conference student athletes.
One of the most successful and highly decorated pitchers in NCAA history, Nancy Evans joins as the team's pitching coach. Evans won three national championships in her playing career at the University of Arizona (1994-98) and still holds the NCAA record with a .939 career winning percentage (124-8 overall record). Last season, Evans served on staff at UIC as the Flames' pitching coach, where she helped UIC post a 3.43 team ERA, its best mark since 2018.
A brilliant recruiter and offensive mind, Bobby Buchanan joins the Rebels after a stint at Texas A&M, where he was the director of player development for their NCAA Super Regional squad.
NEW BLOOD
The Rebels will feature a number of new faces in 2025, as the team welcomes 16 newcomers, compared to 10 returners to the roster. Eight of the 16 are true freshmen, while the remaining half are transfers. Despite this, the Rebels still have an experienced lineup, with 11 seniors and several transfers with plenty of NCAA Tournament experience.
FAB FRESHMEN
Eight of the 16 newcomers to Oxford are true freshmen, as the Rebels injected some youth into the program. Several of those freshmen have already caught national attention, as four were named to Softball America's Freshman Watch List - pitchers Miali Guachino and Abby Herndon, two-way player Persy Llamas and infielder Mackenzie Pickens were all named to the list. Herndon was also named to D1Softball's Top-100 Freshman List.
The quartet is also joined by catcher Rachel Connors, infielder Tate Davis, outfielder Addison Duke and pitcher Graycen Jordan. As a unit the Rebel freshmen provide strong depth to the roster after standout high school careers.
It proved to be a dream start for the freshmen class, as Miali Guachino leads the SEC in strikeouts after the opening week (24), while Persy Llamas leads the team with eight RBI. Tate Davis (first hit), Addison Duke (first RBI) and Mackenzie Pickens (first hit and RBI) also got involved.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN MISS
At 1-4 on the young season, Southern Miss returns home for their home opener after competing at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic.
Under third year head coach and long-time head veteran Natalie Poole, the Golden Eagles are seeking their first winning season since 2022. Redshirt freshman Kayce Bennett has gotten off to a strong start in her career, hitting .444 in four starts to begin the season. Senior Ryanna Valdivia will be called upon for key at-bats and owns the team's lone home run this season.
Jana Lee continues to lead the Golden Eagles after an All-Sun Belt Second Team performance in 2024. Lee is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA (14.0 IP) and 11 strikeouts to begin the season, but will need help, as the rest of the staff holds a 13.70 ERA (15.1 IP).
SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON
After a 3-0 start, the Bearkats slowed down with losses to Texas-based foes Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Texas to open the season.
Seventh year head coach Garrett Valis has the Bearkats hopeful for a big campaign after a strong offensive start, as the team hit .298 over five games. Sophomore Bella Perez (.462 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and senior Brodie Quinlan (.438 BA, 4 XBH, 4 RBI) are off to solid starts on offense, while a versatile pitching corps is pitching to a 2.33 ERA so far in 2025.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
An NCAA regional host a year ago, the 3-2 Ragin' Cajuns are looking for momentum after an early loss to Seton Hall. First year head coach Alyson Habetz leads the way.
The offense is starting fast, as Kayla Falterman is hitting .700, while freshmen Emily Smith is off to a promising start, hitting .400 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Junior Cecelia Vasquez leads the team with seven RBI. Mallory Wheeler (1-0, 0.66 ERA) and Sam Ryan (1-0, 0.72 ERA) opened the year with a bang in the circle.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
After a 2-3 weekend at Grand Canyon, the Huskies head back across the country with some intriguing bats. Seniors Jenna Turner and Madison Matthews are each hitting well over .400, while junior Danielle Stewart has a team leading six RBI and a home run.
In her first season at NIU after nine at Northern Kentucky, Kathryn Gleason is seeking to return the Huskies back to the top of the challenging MAC.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS
A perennial ASUN power, Central Arkansas is seeking a return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year reprieve in 2024, but enters the weekend at 1-4.
Nevertheless, the Sugar Bears opened the season with a key non-conference win over Southeastern Louisiana and took Charlotte to the wire. Head coach Jenny Parsons has recorded 109 wins in just over three seasons and will depend on her young lineup, including team RBI leader LJ Smith (.308 BA and 5 RBI).
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at @olemisssoftball. Also, follow head coach Jamie Trachsel on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
Players Mentioned
RHP/INF
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
LHP/UT
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballWhy Not Us? - Lexie Brady and Aliyah Binford (Softball)
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