Freshmen Shine as No. 18 Softball Takes Down No. 4 Florida in SEC Second Round

ATHENS, Ga. – Behind a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning by Mackenzie Pickens, the No. 18 Ole Miss softball program kept their SEC Tournament run going, downing No. 4 Florida, 6-3, in eight innings on Wednesday evening at Jack Turner Stadium.

Pickens and fellow freshman Persy Llamas each launched three-run home runs to propel the Rebels (37-16, 11-13 SEC) into the quarterfinal and through at least two rounds for the first time since 2017. The Rebels outlasted a rally by the Gators (43-14, 14-10 SEC), and have now won back-to-back games against Florida for the third time in program history.

Despite no hits through the first two innings, the Rebels offense clicked in the third inning. Lair Beautae kickstarted some two-out offense, hitting a single. Aliyah Binford drew a walk in the next at-bat to set up Llamas. The freshman rose to the occasion, driving a three-run home run to right center field to take the early lead.

The Gators mounted a response in the bottom half of the frame, loading the bases with no outs. Lopez danced out of trouble, picking up a strikeout, before a groundout and a fly out limited the Gators to just one run in the frame, and a 3-1 Ole Miss lead.

Ole Miss got a runner in scoring position in the fourth inning, as Angelina DeLeon singled and advanced to third on an error. However, the Gators held firm and kept the Rebels off the board.

In the bottom half of the frame, Lopez got the first two outs, but gave way to Binford in the circle with a runner in scoring position. Binford was able to generate a groundout to end the threat.

Binford continued to excel, holding the Gators at bay and getting around some trouble in the sixth inning to maintain the advantage. However, back-to-back solo home runs to open the seventh inning forced the Rebels and Gators into extra innings.

The Rebels found momentum in the top of the eighth inning, as Binford walked for the third time and Taylor Strain, who pinch ran for Binford, advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lexie Brady drew a walk on the next play, setting up Pickens. The freshman delivered one of the biggest home runs in program history, blasting a three-run shot just right of the outfield grandstands to put Ole Miss ahead, 6-3.

BIG MACKKKKKK ??????@kenziepickens | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/hcZfTirsIq
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) May 7, 2025

With the pressure on in the bottom of the eighth, Lopez reentered the game in the circle, but the Gators managed to load the bases, despite a Lopez strikeout. Needing one final out, Lopez did what she does best, generating weak contact and getting the final Gators batter to close out the victory.

Ole Miss returns to action on Thursday, May 8 as they face No. 3 Texas in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal. Thursday’s game will be the first between the two teams since Texas joined the SEC and will open play at 4 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

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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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Team Stats

Lair Beautae

Angelina DeLeon

Persy Llamas

Mackenzie Pickens

The University of Mississippi Athletics