The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, March 27
Knoxville, Tenn.
5 PM
Ole Miss
22-14, 1-9
2
at
1
Tennessee
29-4, 6-4
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Ole Miss
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
5
1
Tennessee
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
3
1
Boyer’s Gem, Bunker’s Blast Power Softball Past No. 4 Tennessee
3/27/2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Led by a complete game gem from Emilee Boyer and a solo home run from Kennedy Bunker, the Ole Miss softball program earned a 2-1 series opening win at No. 4 Tennessee on Friday evening at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Boyer threw a complete game, striking out three and allowing just three hits for the Rebels (22-14, 1-9 SEC). Persy Llamas went 2-for-3 and Bunker's solo home run was the difference in the win over the Lady Volunteers (29-4, 6-4 SEC).
The day opened with a bang, as Kennedy Bunker led off the inning with a solo home run to give the Rebels an early lead. For Bunker, it marked the 100th RBI of her career and marked the first time the Rebels have led off the game with a home run in two years.
Boyer took the circle from there and showed tremendous poise, holding the Lady Vols offense in check for much of the day. Boyer worked around a first inning walk by inducing a double play and picked up a strikeout in the second inning.
In the third inning, the Lady Vols were able to load the bases and managed to tie the game with a bases loaded walk. However, Boyer remained composed, striking out the final batter to keep the game level.
Boyer continued to generate ground outs and went toe-to-toe with Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko. Boyer generated 13 ground outs in the game, including a key one to strand a Lady Vols runner at second base in the fifth inning.
The Rebels generated offensive momentum in the sixth inning, as Llamas picked up a single and was pinch run for by Izzy Rettiger. Some heads-up base running by Rettiger on a Tennessee error moved her from first to third base. From there, Rettiger pounced on a wild pitch by Mardjetko and scored to retake a 2-1 lead.
Needing six more outs, Boyer worked around a sixth inning single and stranded another runner in scoring position with a pair of ground outs. Boyer took that momentum into the seventh inning, working around a walk and error to earn a key strikeout and fly out to secure the win.
With the victory, the Rebels earned the program's first win in Knoxville since 2008.
The Rebels are set for game two against the Lady Vols on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
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.
Boyer threw a complete game, striking out three and allowing just three hits for the Rebels (22-14, 1-9 SEC). Persy Llamas went 2-for-3 and Bunker's solo home run was the difference in the win over the Lady Volunteers (29-4, 6-4 SEC).
The day opened with a bang, as Kennedy Bunker led off the inning with a solo home run to give the Rebels an early lead. For Bunker, it marked the 100th RBI of her career and marked the first time the Rebels have led off the game with a home run in two years.
Boyer took the circle from there and showed tremendous poise, holding the Lady Vols offense in check for much of the day. Boyer worked around a first inning walk by inducing a double play and picked up a strikeout in the second inning.
In the third inning, the Lady Vols were able to load the bases and managed to tie the game with a bases loaded walk. However, Boyer remained composed, striking out the final batter to keep the game level.
Boyer continued to generate ground outs and went toe-to-toe with Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko. Boyer generated 13 ground outs in the game, including a key one to strand a Lady Vols runner at second base in the fifth inning.
The Rebels generated offensive momentum in the sixth inning, as Llamas picked up a single and was pinch run for by Izzy Rettiger. Some heads-up base running by Rettiger on a Tennessee error moved her from first to third base. From there, Rettiger pounced on a wild pitch by Mardjetko and scored to retake a 2-1 lead.
Needing six more outs, Boyer worked around a sixth inning single and stranded another runner in scoring position with a pair of ground outs. Boyer took that momentum into the seventh inning, working around a walk and error to earn a key strikeout and fly out to secure the win.
With the victory, the Rebels earned the program's first win in Knoxville since 2008.
The Rebels are set for game two against the Lady Vols on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Boyer, Emilee (8-7)
L: Sage Mardjetko (7-1)
Batting:
HR: Bunker, Kennedy 1
RBI: Bunker, Kennedy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bunker, Kennedy 1 ; Rettiger, Izzy 1
Batting:
RBI: Emma Clarke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sophia Knight 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP/UT
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballLHP/UT
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: SB at No. 4 Tennessee (3-27-2026)
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