The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, February 5
Fullerton, Calif.
7 PM
Ole Miss
at
Cal State Fullerton
No. 14 Softball Opens Regular Season at Easton Classic
2/4/2026 | Softball
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Ole Miss softball program is back in action for the first time since the historic 2025 campaign, traveling to Cal State Fullerton to compete in the Easton Classic.
The Rebels (0-0, 0-0 SEC) will open up the tournament against the Titans (0-0, 0-0 Big West) on Thursday, with a doubleheader at 7 and 9:30 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed via ESPN Plus.
From there, the Rebels will face CSUN (0-0, 0-0 Big West) and Boise State (0-0, 0-0 MWC) on Friday at 1 and 5 p.m. CT. The event ends with another game against CSUN on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT.
LEADING OFF
TURNING THE PAGE
After a historic 2025 campaign in which the Rebels reached the program's first ever Women's College World Series, head coach Jamie Trachsel and the Rebels turn the page to a brand new campaign in 2026.
The season will honor the achievements of last season, while turning the page with a group of 16 newcomers to lead a remade roster. Coach Trachsel and the Rebels have commanded the respect of their peers after last season, earning a consensus top-25 ranking across all four major preseason polls heading into the new campaign.
ACT TWO
Persy Llamas took the SEC by storm as a freshman and returns to anchor an offense with plenty of potent bats in 2026. Llamas not only hit .354 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 55 RBI last season, while striking out only 11 times, but also matched teammate Aliyah Binford in setting a new single-season RBI record at Ole Miss. Llamas also shined defensively, tallying a .990 fielding percentage at first base which has already put her among the Rebels all-time best.
Her efforts across the postseason were heroic. Llamas went from hitting a three-run blast against No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament win, to tallying three home runs in three games against No. 12 Arizona to secure the NCAA Regional, to driving in the first two runs ever scored by the Rebels in a Women's College World Series against No. 16 Oregon. Llamas took home All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-South Region Second Team honors following the season.
As a result of her achievements, the nation has paid attention in 2026. Llamas was recently tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason Team, as well as earning a top-100 player and top-10 player at first base nod from Softball America this offseason.
TWO-WAY TITANS
The Ole Miss softball program has created a tradition of developing dynamic two-way talents under head coach Jamie Trachsel, with 2026 set to continue the trend.
Previous Rebels Aynslie Furbush and Aliyah Binford earned All-Region honors both hitting and pitching in Oxford and this season's roster will be loaded with more two-way talent. The group is led by Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer, who heads to Oxford after three seasons at West Texas A&M where she went 69-10 with a 2.39 ERA and hit .363 with 54 home runs and 197 RBI. Another transfer, Hope Jenkins, also brings veteran accumen after three seasons at UConn, where she earned All-Big East honors and went 28-9 in the circle, with a 3.50 ERA and hit .279, with 14 home runs and 67 RBI. Both will continue to hit and pitch in their first seasons in Oxford.
There is even more talent in the pipeline, as the Rebels added freshmen Payton Kennedy and Addi Linton to the mix this season, who will continue their two-way careers after prolific high school performances. Both were tabbed to the Softball America Freshman Watch List this season.
RETURN OF THE MACK
Another breakout star for the Rebels in 2025 was the dynamic Mackenzie Pickens, who stepped right into a key middle infield role and shined en route to NFCA All-South Region Third Team honors. This season, Pickens will take on an even bigger role on both sides of the ball.
Pickens delivered a sensational debut season in Oxford, hitting .328 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Working alongside Llamas, the two also created a steady presence on the right side of the infield that was made up of freshmen alone.
Pickens delivered signature moments in both the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Her 8th inning, three-run blast helped the Rebels break the deadlock and win a thriller over No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament, while her 2-for-3 performance with a first inning home run helped the Rebels clinch the Tucson Regional against No. 12 Arizona in a decisive game three.
TRANSFER TO THE SIP
Ole Miss softball found tremendous success from the transfer portal in 2025 and have reloaded once again in 2026. Joining the team are 10 transfers, headlined by several who will be key contributors. Reigning Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer brings her two-way talents from West Texas A&M, while former Kentucky infielder Cassie Reasner traded shades of blue to join Ole Miss for the next two seasons. Also joining the team are utility player Laylonna Applin (Angelo State), pitcher Kyra Aycock (Oklahoma State), catcher Makenna Bellaire (Florida), catcher Kennedy Bunker (Fresno State), two-way player Hope Jenkins (UConn), outfielder Liesl Osteen (UCLA), outfielder Cassidy Patterson (Nova Southeastern) and outfielder Sydney Shiller (Texas Tech). Additionally, promising pitcher Lilly Whitten (Missouri), will also see action for the first time as a Rebel after joining as a winter transfer ahead of the 2025 season.
DIPPING INTO DII
The Rebels dipped into a unique pool of talent in the transfer portal, bringing in three players with high level Division II experience ahead of 2026.
Emilee Boyer moves up to the Division I level after thoroughy dominating at Division II West Texas A&M. Boyer took home countless honors over her three years including the 2025 NFCA Division II National Player of the Year and the 2025 D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year as well as multiple All-American honors and will seek to impact the Rebel lineup with her blend of pitchability and power.
After facing Boyer for the last two years, Laylonna Applin joins her as a teammate on the Rebels after dominating at Division II Angelo State. Named a 2025 NFCA First Team All-American and D2CCA Third Team All-American Applin brings versatility and can play a number of positions. Applin hit .360 with 20 home runs, 94 RBI, 24 doubles and 27 stolen bases with the Rambelles and will be called upon for key at bats at the new level.
The Rebels also added outfielder Cassidy Patterson, who has progressed through the junior college and Division II ranks as a prolific base stealer. Patterson won the 2024 NFCA/NJCAA Golden Shoe Award while Indian River State College, before moving up to Nova Southeastern, where she stole 38 bases. In total, Patterson has stolen 133 bases over three seasons and provides the Rebels a dangerous weapon in the running game.
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The hosts of the Easton Classic, Cal State Fullerton enters 2026 with big expectations after a 37-17 campaign in 2025. Head coach Gina Oaks Garcia enters her second season at the helm, following the retirement of long-time head coach Kelly Ford.
The Titans return most of their offense in 2026, including the dynamic Ava Arce, who hit a sizzling .409 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI last season. In fact, the top six run producers from last season return, with five players tabbed to the All-Big West Preseason Team.
Additionally, all three starting pitchers return as Eva Hurtado, Trisha McCleskey and Leanna Garcia threw a combined 350 innings in 2025. The trio will face a number of quality opponents this season following this tournament, including Auburn, BYU, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma, Stanford and Texas Tech.
SCOUTING CSUN
Following a 26-26 season in 2025, CSUN returns with a new look under interim head coach Jodie Cox, with eyes on returning to postseason play after competing in the NISC in 2023 and reaching the Big West Tournament title game last season.
The Matadors will face a stiff challenge in replacing several key contributors, including leading run producer and power threat Kaylee Escutia. In fact, outfielder Raegen Jackson is the only returner to hit a home run last season.
The Matadors feature 17 newcomers, including transfer additions Isabella Valdez (Oregon State), Madison Okano (Arizona State) and Vanessa Perez (Liberty).
SCOUTING BOISE STATE
After a 34-22 season and an appearance in the Mountain West Tournament title game, the Broncos are back and looking to build on the successful season. Head coach Justin Shults has delivered four-straight 30-win seasons in his tenure and leads the Broncos into a difficult non-conference schedule that features matchups with the Rebels, Texas, Arkansas, Stanford and Arizona among others.
While key players including Sophia Knight and Makenzie Butt are gone, sophomore Quinn Southerland returns to lead the offense after a huge freshman season. Southerland hit .364 with seven doubles, two triples and two home runs and will be called upon for big production once again. Olivia Bauer (9-5, 3.94 ERA) returns to anchor the rotation in 2026.
The Broncos dipped into the SEC for a pair of transfers, adding former South Carolina outfielder Marissa Gonzalez and former South Carolina catcher Mya Flindt. Senior Hollie Farmer returns to the team alongside Gonzalez as the only seniors on the young roster.
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 (0-0, 0-0 SEC) will open up the tournament against the Titans (0-0, 0-0 Big West) on Thursday, with a doubleheader at 7 and 9:30 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed via ESPN Plus.
From there, the Rebels will face CSUN (0-0, 0-0 Big West) and Boise State (0-0, 0-0 MWC) on Friday at 1 and 5 p.m. CT. The event ends with another game against CSUN on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss is set to open up play in 2026 following a historic 2025 season in which the program reached its first ever Women's College World Series.
- For the second straight year, the roster features 16 newcomers, this time in the form of 10 transfers and six freshmen.
- Headlining the list of transfers includes Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer (West Texas A&M), All-Big East honoree Hope Jenkins (UConn) and former Kentucky starting shortstop Cassie Reasner.
- NFCA All-South Region honorees Persy Llamas and Mackenzie Pickens headline the returners, after huge freshman campaigns in 2025. Llamas was tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason Team prior to the start of the season.
- Ole Miss is 4-1 all-time in season openers under head coach Jamie Trachsel and are 18-8 in season-opening tournaments.
- Three freshmen - Payton Kennedy, Addi Linton and Kaidance Till earned a spot on Softball America's Preseason Watch List. Linton and Till also earned spots on D1Softball's D100 Freshman Watch List.
- The Rebels are a consensus top-25 program across all four major national polls, earning the achievement for the first time since 2018.
TURNING THE PAGE
After a historic 2025 campaign in which the Rebels reached the program's first ever Women's College World Series, head coach Jamie Trachsel and the Rebels turn the page to a brand new campaign in 2026.
The season will honor the achievements of last season, while turning the page with a group of 16 newcomers to lead a remade roster. Coach Trachsel and the Rebels have commanded the respect of their peers after last season, earning a consensus top-25 ranking across all four major preseason polls heading into the new campaign.
ACT TWO
Persy Llamas took the SEC by storm as a freshman and returns to anchor an offense with plenty of potent bats in 2026. Llamas not only hit .354 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 55 RBI last season, while striking out only 11 times, but also matched teammate Aliyah Binford in setting a new single-season RBI record at Ole Miss. Llamas also shined defensively, tallying a .990 fielding percentage at first base which has already put her among the Rebels all-time best.
Her efforts across the postseason were heroic. Llamas went from hitting a three-run blast against No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament win, to tallying three home runs in three games against No. 12 Arizona to secure the NCAA Regional, to driving in the first two runs ever scored by the Rebels in a Women's College World Series against No. 16 Oregon. Llamas took home All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-South Region Second Team honors following the season.
As a result of her achievements, the nation has paid attention in 2026. Llamas was recently tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason Team, as well as earning a top-100 player and top-10 player at first base nod from Softball America this offseason.
TWO-WAY TITANS
The Ole Miss softball program has created a tradition of developing dynamic two-way talents under head coach Jamie Trachsel, with 2026 set to continue the trend.
Previous Rebels Aynslie Furbush and Aliyah Binford earned All-Region honors both hitting and pitching in Oxford and this season's roster will be loaded with more two-way talent. The group is led by Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer, who heads to Oxford after three seasons at West Texas A&M where she went 69-10 with a 2.39 ERA and hit .363 with 54 home runs and 197 RBI. Another transfer, Hope Jenkins, also brings veteran accumen after three seasons at UConn, where she earned All-Big East honors and went 28-9 in the circle, with a 3.50 ERA and hit .279, with 14 home runs and 67 RBI. Both will continue to hit and pitch in their first seasons in Oxford.
There is even more talent in the pipeline, as the Rebels added freshmen Payton Kennedy and Addi Linton to the mix this season, who will continue their two-way careers after prolific high school performances. Both were tabbed to the Softball America Freshman Watch List this season.
RETURN OF THE MACK
Another breakout star for the Rebels in 2025 was the dynamic Mackenzie Pickens, who stepped right into a key middle infield role and shined en route to NFCA All-South Region Third Team honors. This season, Pickens will take on an even bigger role on both sides of the ball.
Pickens delivered a sensational debut season in Oxford, hitting .328 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Working alongside Llamas, the two also created a steady presence on the right side of the infield that was made up of freshmen alone.
Pickens delivered signature moments in both the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Her 8th inning, three-run blast helped the Rebels break the deadlock and win a thriller over No. 4 Florida in the SEC Tournament, while her 2-for-3 performance with a first inning home run helped the Rebels clinch the Tucson Regional against No. 12 Arizona in a decisive game three.
TRANSFER TO THE SIP
Ole Miss softball found tremendous success from the transfer portal in 2025 and have reloaded once again in 2026. Joining the team are 10 transfers, headlined by several who will be key contributors. Reigning Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer brings her two-way talents from West Texas A&M, while former Kentucky infielder Cassie Reasner traded shades of blue to join Ole Miss for the next two seasons. Also joining the team are utility player Laylonna Applin (Angelo State), pitcher Kyra Aycock (Oklahoma State), catcher Makenna Bellaire (Florida), catcher Kennedy Bunker (Fresno State), two-way player Hope Jenkins (UConn), outfielder Liesl Osteen (UCLA), outfielder Cassidy Patterson (Nova Southeastern) and outfielder Sydney Shiller (Texas Tech). Additionally, promising pitcher Lilly Whitten (Missouri), will also see action for the first time as a Rebel after joining as a winter transfer ahead of the 2025 season.
DIPPING INTO DII
The Rebels dipped into a unique pool of talent in the transfer portal, bringing in three players with high level Division II experience ahead of 2026.
Emilee Boyer moves up to the Division I level after thoroughy dominating at Division II West Texas A&M. Boyer took home countless honors over her three years including the 2025 NFCA Division II National Player of the Year and the 2025 D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year as well as multiple All-American honors and will seek to impact the Rebel lineup with her blend of pitchability and power.
After facing Boyer for the last two years, Laylonna Applin joins her as a teammate on the Rebels after dominating at Division II Angelo State. Named a 2025 NFCA First Team All-American and D2CCA Third Team All-American Applin brings versatility and can play a number of positions. Applin hit .360 with 20 home runs, 94 RBI, 24 doubles and 27 stolen bases with the Rambelles and will be called upon for key at bats at the new level.
The Rebels also added outfielder Cassidy Patterson, who has progressed through the junior college and Division II ranks as a prolific base stealer. Patterson won the 2024 NFCA/NJCAA Golden Shoe Award while Indian River State College, before moving up to Nova Southeastern, where she stole 38 bases. In total, Patterson has stolen 133 bases over three seasons and provides the Rebels a dangerous weapon in the running game.
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The hosts of the Easton Classic, Cal State Fullerton enters 2026 with big expectations after a 37-17 campaign in 2025. Head coach Gina Oaks Garcia enters her second season at the helm, following the retirement of long-time head coach Kelly Ford.
The Titans return most of their offense in 2026, including the dynamic Ava Arce, who hit a sizzling .409 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI last season. In fact, the top six run producers from last season return, with five players tabbed to the All-Big West Preseason Team.
Additionally, all three starting pitchers return as Eva Hurtado, Trisha McCleskey and Leanna Garcia threw a combined 350 innings in 2025. The trio will face a number of quality opponents this season following this tournament, including Auburn, BYU, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma, Stanford and Texas Tech.
SCOUTING CSUN
Following a 26-26 season in 2025, CSUN returns with a new look under interim head coach Jodie Cox, with eyes on returning to postseason play after competing in the NISC in 2023 and reaching the Big West Tournament title game last season.
The Matadors will face a stiff challenge in replacing several key contributors, including leading run producer and power threat Kaylee Escutia. In fact, outfielder Raegen Jackson is the only returner to hit a home run last season.
The Matadors feature 17 newcomers, including transfer additions Isabella Valdez (Oregon State), Madison Okano (Arizona State) and Vanessa Perez (Liberty).
SCOUTING BOISE STATE
After a 34-22 season and an appearance in the Mountain West Tournament title game, the Broncos are back and looking to build on the successful season. Head coach Justin Shults has delivered four-straight 30-win seasons in his tenure and leads the Broncos into a difficult non-conference schedule that features matchups with the Rebels, Texas, Arkansas, Stanford and Arizona among others.
While key players including Sophia Knight and Makenzie Butt are gone, sophomore Quinn Southerland returns to lead the offense after a huge freshman season. Southerland hit .364 with seven doubles, two triples and two home runs and will be called upon for big production once again. Olivia Bauer (9-5, 3.94 ERA) returns to anchor the rotation in 2026.
The Broncos dipped into the SEC for a pair of transfers, adding former South Carolina outfielder Marissa Gonzalez and former South Carolina catcher Mya Flindt. Senior Hollie Farmer returns to the team alongside Gonzalez as the only seniors on the young roster.
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
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
RHP/INF
/ Softball
RHP/UT
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
RHP/UT
/ Softball
RHP/UT
/ Softball
LHP/UT
/ Softball
LHP/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballTrinidad Chambliss Touchdown at Georgia
Saturday, October 18
The Old Youngin's - Mackenzie Pickens and Persy Llamas (SB)
Friday, October 10
Why Not Us? - Lexie Brady and Aliyah Binford (Softball)
Wednesday, June 04
PRESSER | Ole Miss Softball - vs. Oregon Postgame (05-30-25)
Saturday, May 31