The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, February 21
Huntsville, Ala.
11:30 AM
Ole Miss
vs
North Alabama
Rocket City Softball Showcase Awaits for Ole Miss Softball
2/20/2025 | Softball
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Ole Miss softball program heads east to complete the season-opening road swing, traveling to Huntsville, Ala., for the inaugural Rocket City Softball Showcase at Toyota Field.
The Rebels (8-3, 0-0 SEC) are set for four games, beginning with a matchup against North Alabama (9-0, 0-0 ASUN) on Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT. From there the Rebels will face Miami (3-7, 0-0 MAC on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT, before a pair of games against James Madison (0-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) and Louisiana Tech (5-5, 0-0 CUSA) on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT.
All games at Toyota Field will be streamed via FloCollege. The Rebels will play Louisiana Tech on the campus of the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
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.
A STAR IS BORN
Freshman Miali Guachino has burst onto the scene as one of the top freshman pitchers in the nation and an early candidate for national freshmn of the year. The Pala, Calif., native has wasted little time in becoming a star, as she broke the Rebels single-game strikeout record with 19 at Southern Miss, shattering the old record of 15. Guachino enters the weekend at 4-3 with a 1.01 ERA (34.2 IP) and has struck out 58 batters, which leads the SEC and is ahead of the next highest by 17, while ranking second in the NCAA, behind only 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech.
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 freshman 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 (58), while Persy Llamas leads the team with 12 RBI. Tate Davis (first hit), Addison Duke (first hit and RBI) and Mackenzie Pickens (a grand slam and 8 RBI) also got involved.
SCOUTING NORTH ALABAMA
The Lions are off to a historic start in 2025, coming in at 9-0. The nine-game win streak is the longest for the program in the Division I era and longest since 2016. 12th year head coach Ashley Cozart has guided the Lions to Division I and has them rolling.
Sophomore Briley Dover is rolling, hitting .516 with nine extra-base hits and 10 RBI to lead the team. The pitching staff has also been dominant, behind twins Emily and Katie Simon and Alivia Wilken, as the unit holds a 1.33 ERA and .183 opposing batting average.
SCOUTING MIAMI
A traditional MAC powerhouse, the Miami Redhawks have developed a reputation as one of the top mid-major programs in the nation over the last decade. The Redhawks have reached four straight NCAA Regionals and nearly took down then No. 1 Oklahoma in Norman last season.
This season, the Redhawks are 3-7, but have emerged through their tough schedule with a signature win over Arizona State in Tempe. First-year head coach Mandy Gardner-Colegate inherits a roster that features 2024 All-American Jenna Golembiewski, as well as Oregon State transfer Kaylee Oh, who is hitting .438 through the first 10 games of the season.
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON
The Dukes are set to return to action after a week off, as their previously scheduled home tournament was canceled due to inclement weather. James Madison enters the weekend at 0-5 and looking to generate some momentum in Huntsville.
Head coach Loren LaPorte, who enters her eighth season after guiding James Madison to the 2021 Women's College World Series is leading the young Dukes, who are led by senior Abbie Campbell, who hit .444 with three doubles and an RBI in their opening weekend.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA TECH
The Bulldogs head to Huntsville with a 5-5 record, but have emerged from a challening opening slate with one of the best wins of the season, after defeating then No. 4 Oklahoma State, 6-1 on Feb. 7 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Fourth-year head coach Josh Taylor has led the Bulldogs to winning seasons each of his first three seasons and has a talented group in front of him in 2025. Senior Claire Ramey is rolling to start the season, hitting .467 with five extra-base hits and seven RBI. Redshirt sophomore Reagan Marchant has emerged as a power threat, with three home runs in 10 games.
Junior Allie Floyd leads the rotation with more than half of her team's innings, a 4-2 record and 3.09 ERA.
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 (8-3, 0-0 SEC) are set for four games, beginning with a matchup against North Alabama (9-0, 0-0 ASUN) on Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT. From there the Rebels will face Miami (3-7, 0-0 MAC on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT, before a pair of games against James Madison (0-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) and Louisiana Tech (5-5, 0-0 CUSA) on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT.
All games at Toyota Field will be streamed via FloCollege. The Rebels will play Louisiana Tech on the campus of the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss is set for their final road swing before returning home to open the new Ole Miss Softball Stadium with nine consecutive home games.
- The Rebels have won each of the last matchups between themselves and their respective opponents this weekend.
- 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.
- The Rebel freshmen started strong, with Miali Guachino leading the SEC and ranking second in the NCAA in strikeouts (58), and Persy Llamas leading the team in RBI (12).
- Guachino made history at Southern Miss, striking out a program-record 19 batters. It shattered the previous single game record of 15.
- Llamas continues to shine, with at least one RBI in nine of her first 11 college games and an 11 game on-base streak.
- 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.
A STAR IS BORN
Freshman Miali Guachino has burst onto the scene as one of the top freshman pitchers in the nation and an early candidate for national freshmn of the year. The Pala, Calif., native has wasted little time in becoming a star, as she broke the Rebels single-game strikeout record with 19 at Southern Miss, shattering the old record of 15. Guachino enters the weekend at 4-3 with a 1.01 ERA (34.2 IP) and has struck out 58 batters, which leads the SEC and is ahead of the next highest by 17, while ranking second in the NCAA, behind only 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech.
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 freshman 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 (58), while Persy Llamas leads the team with 12 RBI. Tate Davis (first hit), Addison Duke (first hit and RBI) and Mackenzie Pickens (a grand slam and 8 RBI) also got involved.
SCOUTING NORTH ALABAMA
The Lions are off to a historic start in 2025, coming in at 9-0. The nine-game win streak is the longest for the program in the Division I era and longest since 2016. 12th year head coach Ashley Cozart has guided the Lions to Division I and has them rolling.
Sophomore Briley Dover is rolling, hitting .516 with nine extra-base hits and 10 RBI to lead the team. The pitching staff has also been dominant, behind twins Emily and Katie Simon and Alivia Wilken, as the unit holds a 1.33 ERA and .183 opposing batting average.
SCOUTING MIAMI
A traditional MAC powerhouse, the Miami Redhawks have developed a reputation as one of the top mid-major programs in the nation over the last decade. The Redhawks have reached four straight NCAA Regionals and nearly took down then No. 1 Oklahoma in Norman last season.
This season, the Redhawks are 3-7, but have emerged through their tough schedule with a signature win over Arizona State in Tempe. First-year head coach Mandy Gardner-Colegate inherits a roster that features 2024 All-American Jenna Golembiewski, as well as Oregon State transfer Kaylee Oh, who is hitting .438 through the first 10 games of the season.
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON
The Dukes are set to return to action after a week off, as their previously scheduled home tournament was canceled due to inclement weather. James Madison enters the weekend at 0-5 and looking to generate some momentum in Huntsville.
Head coach Loren LaPorte, who enters her eighth season after guiding James Madison to the 2021 Women's College World Series is leading the young Dukes, who are led by senior Abbie Campbell, who hit .444 with three doubles and an RBI in their opening weekend.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA TECH
The Bulldogs head to Huntsville with a 5-5 record, but have emerged from a challening opening slate with one of the best wins of the season, after defeating then No. 4 Oklahoma State, 6-1 on Feb. 7 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Fourth-year head coach Josh Taylor has led the Bulldogs to winning seasons each of his first three seasons and has a talented group in front of him in 2025. Senior Claire Ramey is rolling to start the season, hitting .467 with five extra-base hits and seven RBI. Redshirt sophomore Reagan Marchant has emerged as a power threat, with three home runs in 10 games.
Junior Allie Floyd leads the rotation with more than half of her team's innings, a 4-2 record and 3.09 ERA.
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
RHP
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
LHP/UT
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballWhy Not Us? - Lexie Brady and Aliyah Binford (Softball)
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