The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, May 1
Starkville, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
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Mississippi State
No. 17 Softball Wraps Up Regular Season at No. 18 Mississippi State
4/30/2025 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – For the final time in the 2025 regular season, No. 17 Ole Miss softball hits the road, facing No. 18 Mississippi State for a three-game series from Thursday through Saturday at Nusz Park.
The Rebels (34-14, 10-11 SEC) matchup with the rival Bulldogs (35-15, 11-10 SEC), beginning on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. Game two is set for Friday at 4 p.m. CT, before the Rebels and Bulldogs clash on the SEC Network on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.
LEADING OFF
DOWN GOES NO. 1
The Rebels recorded one of their biggest wins in the last decade on Apr. 25, as the Rebels took down No. 1 Tennessee, 3-2. The win was their first over the No. 1 team in the nation since an SEC Tournament win over No. 1 Florida in 2017 and was the first such victory of the Jamie Trachsel era. Mackenzie Pickens, Angelina DeLeon and Taylor Malvin each drove in a run in the second inning, while freshman sensation Miali Guachino outdueled Karlyn Pickens in the circle, going 5.2 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits to pick up the win. Brianna Lopez earned the save in relief.
BRADY BOMBS
Perhaps the most critical bat for the Rebels is the veteran Lexie Brady, who brings a powerful bat to the middle of the lineup. Brady launched 13 home runs and 35 RBI in her breakout junior campaign and has surged to even new heights in 2025.
The power surge has continued for Brady, who is hitting .342 with a career-high 15 home runs and 45 RBI. After starting the season 0-11 at Florida Atlantic, Brady has surged to a .377 batting average in the 42 games since and has 14 home runs in her last 34 games.
Brady continues to pound the ball at the plate and has at least one extra-base hit in 17 of her last 34 games played. Her 15 home runs are the most by any Rebel since 2003 and match the single-season record set by DeDe Justice in 2003. Brady also made added history with 6 RBI in game one against No. 23 Georgia, matching the Ole Miss single game record.
A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
The series win at No. 23 Georgia provided some historic moments, particularly in game one, as the Rebels opened with a thrilling, 20-11 win over the Bulldogs. Not only was it the most runs scored by the Rebels in SEC play since 2019 against Mississippi State, but it was also the most runs ever given up in a single game by the Bulldogs.
The two teams matched the most runs scored in an SEC game with 31, while Lexie Brady led the way with six RBI to tie the single game program record. Additionally, the Rebels matched a program record with 12 walks, which had been done three times, but was last accomplished in 2017 against Colgate.
Game one was also notable in that the Rebels recovered from an early 8-2 deficit, marking their largest comeback victory in SEC play under head coach Jamie Trachsel.
To make even more impressive, the 29 runs scored over the three game series win were the most runs scored by the Rebels in an SEC series since scoring 31 against Arkansas in 2014.
ALL EYES ON ALIYAH
Two-way star Aliyah Binford joins the Rebels for her final season of eligibility after a standout career in the circle and at the plate at Baylor and has generated talk since arriving in Oxford. Binford is hitting .327 with 12 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 43 RBI and slugging .558, while also holding an 8-2 record and 3.39 ERA through 18 appearances in the circle.
Her efforts in the circle have caught national attention and placed her in the Ole Miss record books after being named the SEC Pitcher of the Week on Mar. 3. Binford delivered back-to-back complete games that week, beginning with a one-hitter against Nicholls and ending the week with the program's first solo no-hitter since 2014 in a win over Murray State.
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 freshman 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. She followed that up with her first collegiate no-hitter against Samford and SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors on Mar. 18.
Guachino enters the weekend at 14-9 with a 3.16 ERA (128.2 IP) and has struck out 164 batters, which is fourth in the SEC and ranks 23rd in the nation. Guachino has tallied 11 complete games, six solo shutouts and has four performances with 10 or more strikeouts.
FRESHMAN SENSATION
Persy Llamas has been a revelation in her first season in Oxford, from the moment she stepped on a field. From her very first collegiate at-bat, where she hit a pinch hit three-run home run to take the lead in a 3-2 win over No. 25 Clemson to now ranking second on the Rebels in total RBI (43), Llamas has proven to be a highly capable batter at first base.
In fact, her 43 RBI already rank tied for seventh on the Rebels all-time single season chart and are the most by a Rebel freshman in program history.
Clutch play from Llamas has continued in SEC play, as the freshman hit a go-ahead, solo home run to power the Rebels past Missouri in game two and clinch the series. As a result, Llamas was named the SEC's Co-Freshman of the Week on Apr. 1.
Llamas opened her collegiate career with 81 at-bats without a strikeout, good for the most by a Rebel since Hailey Lunderman in 2016 and remains one of the most difficult to strikeout in the nation.
MACK ATTACK
Freshman infielder Mackenzie Pickens recorded a breakout performance en route to SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 24. Pickens hit .600 over four games at the Rocket City Softball Showcase, tallying a home run, a double, six RBI and two stolen bases.
The Flowery Branch, Ga., native has adjusted to the college game quickly, hitting .331 with five home runs and 27 RBI, while becoming the first SEC Freshman of the Week from Ole Miss since Blaise Biringer in 2021.
SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE
Entering the weekend at 35-15 and 11-10 in SEC, the Bulldogs, like the Rebels, have eyes on a potential home regional in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Samantha Ricketts has a chance to record the most wins in a single season in her career this weekend.
Mississippi State sits squarely in the mix of several programs in search of high seeding at the SEC Tournament, as just two games separate the current No. 5 seed and the No. 11 seed.
The single most important player in the Bulldogs lineup could be senior Sierra Sacco, who is hitting a blistering .471 with 10 home runs, 16 doubles and 45 RBI. Junior Nadia Barbary has also shined, hitting .369 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI, while junior Kiarra Sells leads the team with 11 home runs as well as 38 RBI.
Pitching has been largely on the backs of senior Raelin Chaffin, whose 154 innings pitched are just shy of 50 percent of her team's total innings. Chaffin is 20-7 with a 2.50 ERA, tallying 173 strikeouts and has recorded 16 complete games. To get to Chaffin, the Rebels will need to find their extra-base swing, as Chaffin has allowed 14 home runs and 23 doubles this season despite the sterling numbers.
The rest of the rotation has not found the same level of success, but are still threatening, as sophomore Delainey Everett leads the group at 9-1 with a 2.97 ERA (59.0 IP).
Mississippi State has shined against top opponents, taking games off Texas and Tennessee, while winning the series against Alabama and defeating Nebraska in non-conference play. However, there have been some slip ups along the way, including losses to Northwestern State and Jacksonville State.
The Rebels are seeking their first series win against the Bulldogs since 2019, after Mississippi State took two of three games last season.
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 (34-14, 10-11 SEC) matchup with the rival Bulldogs (35-15, 11-10 SEC), beginning on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. Game two is set for Friday at 4 p.m. CT, before the Rebels and Bulldogs clash on the SEC Network on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.
LEADING OFF
- With eyes on a potential NCAA regional hosting opportunity, the Rebels wrap up the regular season at No. 18 Mississippi State this weekend.
- Entering the final weekend, Ole Miss can finish as high as fourth or as low as 12th in the SEC, depending on the results of this series and around the SEC.
- Jaden Pone enters the weekend on fire, hitting .477 in the month of April. Seven of her 13 multi-hit games have come in SEC play, including a 4-for-4 day vs. No. 6 Florida and 3-for-3 day vs. No. 1 Tennessee.
- Lexie Brady remains one of the hottest hitters in the SEC, hitting 14 home runs in her last 34 games and has hit .377 with all 15 of her home runs since opening the season 0-for-11.
- Persy Llamas looks to polish off a historic freshman campaign, as she leads her team in multi-hit games (17) and already has the most RBI by an Ole Miss freshman in program history.
- Llamas continues to be a force at the plate, reaching safely in 39 of 48 collegiate games played.
- At 164 strikeouts, Miali Guachino already has the most strikeouts in a single season by a Rebel since Molly Jacobsen (166) in 2019. Guachino recently entered the top-10 single season list at Ole Miss and currently stands in fifth.
DOWN GOES NO. 1
The Rebels recorded one of their biggest wins in the last decade on Apr. 25, as the Rebels took down No. 1 Tennessee, 3-2. The win was their first over the No. 1 team in the nation since an SEC Tournament win over No. 1 Florida in 2017 and was the first such victory of the Jamie Trachsel era. Mackenzie Pickens, Angelina DeLeon and Taylor Malvin each drove in a run in the second inning, while freshman sensation Miali Guachino outdueled Karlyn Pickens in the circle, going 5.2 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits to pick up the win. Brianna Lopez earned the save in relief.
BRADY BOMBS
Perhaps the most critical bat for the Rebels is the veteran Lexie Brady, who brings a powerful bat to the middle of the lineup. Brady launched 13 home runs and 35 RBI in her breakout junior campaign and has surged to even new heights in 2025.
The power surge has continued for Brady, who is hitting .342 with a career-high 15 home runs and 45 RBI. After starting the season 0-11 at Florida Atlantic, Brady has surged to a .377 batting average in the 42 games since and has 14 home runs in her last 34 games.
Brady continues to pound the ball at the plate and has at least one extra-base hit in 17 of her last 34 games played. Her 15 home runs are the most by any Rebel since 2003 and match the single-season record set by DeDe Justice in 2003. Brady also made added history with 6 RBI in game one against No. 23 Georgia, matching the Ole Miss single game record.
A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
The series win at No. 23 Georgia provided some historic moments, particularly in game one, as the Rebels opened with a thrilling, 20-11 win over the Bulldogs. Not only was it the most runs scored by the Rebels in SEC play since 2019 against Mississippi State, but it was also the most runs ever given up in a single game by the Bulldogs.
The two teams matched the most runs scored in an SEC game with 31, while Lexie Brady led the way with six RBI to tie the single game program record. Additionally, the Rebels matched a program record with 12 walks, which had been done three times, but was last accomplished in 2017 against Colgate.
Game one was also notable in that the Rebels recovered from an early 8-2 deficit, marking their largest comeback victory in SEC play under head coach Jamie Trachsel.
To make even more impressive, the 29 runs scored over the three game series win were the most runs scored by the Rebels in an SEC series since scoring 31 against Arkansas in 2014.
ALL EYES ON ALIYAH
Two-way star Aliyah Binford joins the Rebels for her final season of eligibility after a standout career in the circle and at the plate at Baylor and has generated talk since arriving in Oxford. Binford is hitting .327 with 12 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 43 RBI and slugging .558, while also holding an 8-2 record and 3.39 ERA through 18 appearances in the circle.
Her efforts in the circle have caught national attention and placed her in the Ole Miss record books after being named the SEC Pitcher of the Week on Mar. 3. Binford delivered back-to-back complete games that week, beginning with a one-hitter against Nicholls and ending the week with the program's first solo no-hitter since 2014 in a win over Murray State.
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 freshman 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. She followed that up with her first collegiate no-hitter against Samford and SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors on Mar. 18.
Guachino enters the weekend at 14-9 with a 3.16 ERA (128.2 IP) and has struck out 164 batters, which is fourth in the SEC and ranks 23rd in the nation. Guachino has tallied 11 complete games, six solo shutouts and has four performances with 10 or more strikeouts.
FRESHMAN SENSATION
Persy Llamas has been a revelation in her first season in Oxford, from the moment she stepped on a field. From her very first collegiate at-bat, where she hit a pinch hit three-run home run to take the lead in a 3-2 win over No. 25 Clemson to now ranking second on the Rebels in total RBI (43), Llamas has proven to be a highly capable batter at first base.
In fact, her 43 RBI already rank tied for seventh on the Rebels all-time single season chart and are the most by a Rebel freshman in program history.
Clutch play from Llamas has continued in SEC play, as the freshman hit a go-ahead, solo home run to power the Rebels past Missouri in game two and clinch the series. As a result, Llamas was named the SEC's Co-Freshman of the Week on Apr. 1.
Llamas opened her collegiate career with 81 at-bats without a strikeout, good for the most by a Rebel since Hailey Lunderman in 2016 and remains one of the most difficult to strikeout in the nation.
MACK ATTACK
Freshman infielder Mackenzie Pickens recorded a breakout performance en route to SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 24. Pickens hit .600 over four games at the Rocket City Softball Showcase, tallying a home run, a double, six RBI and two stolen bases.
The Flowery Branch, Ga., native has adjusted to the college game quickly, hitting .331 with five home runs and 27 RBI, while becoming the first SEC Freshman of the Week from Ole Miss since Blaise Biringer in 2021.
SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE
Entering the weekend at 35-15 and 11-10 in SEC, the Bulldogs, like the Rebels, have eyes on a potential home regional in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Samantha Ricketts has a chance to record the most wins in a single season in her career this weekend.
Mississippi State sits squarely in the mix of several programs in search of high seeding at the SEC Tournament, as just two games separate the current No. 5 seed and the No. 11 seed.
The single most important player in the Bulldogs lineup could be senior Sierra Sacco, who is hitting a blistering .471 with 10 home runs, 16 doubles and 45 RBI. Junior Nadia Barbary has also shined, hitting .369 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI, while junior Kiarra Sells leads the team with 11 home runs as well as 38 RBI.
Pitching has been largely on the backs of senior Raelin Chaffin, whose 154 innings pitched are just shy of 50 percent of her team's total innings. Chaffin is 20-7 with a 2.50 ERA, tallying 173 strikeouts and has recorded 16 complete games. To get to Chaffin, the Rebels will need to find their extra-base swing, as Chaffin has allowed 14 home runs and 23 doubles this season despite the sterling numbers.
The rest of the rotation has not found the same level of success, but are still threatening, as sophomore Delainey Everett leads the group at 9-1 with a 2.97 ERA (59.0 IP).
Mississippi State has shined against top opponents, taking games off Texas and Tennessee, while winning the series against Alabama and defeating Nebraska in non-conference play. However, there have been some slip ups along the way, including losses to Northwestern State and Jacksonville State.
The Rebels are seeking their first series win against the Bulldogs since 2019, after Mississippi State took two of three games last season.
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.
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Players Mentioned
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