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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, April 18
Baton Rouge, La.
5 PM
Ole Miss
27-20, 8-9
6
at
7
LSU
31-14, 2-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| LSU | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | X | 7 | 10 | 0 |
Rally Falls Short for Softball in Game Two at No. 15 LSU
4/18/2026 | Softball
BATON ROUGE, La. – Despite a sensational game from Mackenzie Pickens, the Ole Miss softball program fell, 7-6 in game two at No. 15 LSU on Saturday night.
The Rebels (27-20, 2-15 SEC) managed to rally and tie the game in the sixth inning, but were unable to overcome the Tigers (31-14, 8-9 SEC) late in the game.
The day opened with a bang for the Rebels, as Pickens attacked a mistake by LSU starter Jayden Heavener to blast a home run to left field to make it 1-0 in the first inning.
However, the Tigers delivered a response in the bottom half of the frame, scoring two runs on an RBI single and an error to retake the advantage.
The Rebels didn't quit and retook the advantage in the second inning. Taylor Roman, Ryan Starr and Taylor Malvin all walked to set up Kennedy Bunker. Bunker tied the game with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to make it 2-2. From there, Pickens continued her huge day with a two run double off the left field wall to make it 4-2.
However, LSU responded with runs in the bottom of the second and third innings, before driving in two more to go ahead 6-4 in the fourth inning.
The Rebels would not quit, getting a scoreless fifth inning out of reliever Lilly Whitten. Pickens contributed once again in the frame, recovering to get the LSU runner streaking home and keep the game in check.
In the sixth inning, a leadoff single from Laylonna Applin set the tone for a rally. Rachel Connors drew a walk, before Starr reentered and advanced with Applin on a sacrifice bunt by Malvin. Bunker came through in the clutch, lacing a single up the middle to tie the game at 6-6.
The Tigers jumped back in front in the bottom half of the sixth inning behind a bases loaded walk, but the Rebels still had one final opportunity in the seventh inning.
Madi George led off the inning with a walk and was pinch run for by Tenly Grisham. Grisham advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a passed ball to set up a scoring chance. A pop up from Taylor Roman was not deep enough to score the run, but Applin extended the inning with a hit by pitch. Starr nearly met the same fate, getting hit early in the count, but the play was ruled a strike for Starr being over the plate. In what could have been a bases loaded situation, the Rebels instead were unable to convert following the play and fell, 7-6.
The Rebels will wrap up the three-game series against the Tigers on Sunday 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.
The Rebels (27-20, 2-15 SEC) managed to rally and tie the game in the sixth inning, but were unable to overcome the Tigers (31-14, 8-9 SEC) late in the game.
The day opened with a bang for the Rebels, as Pickens attacked a mistake by LSU starter Jayden Heavener to blast a home run to left field to make it 1-0 in the first inning.
However, the Tigers delivered a response in the bottom half of the frame, scoring two runs on an RBI single and an error to retake the advantage.
The Rebels didn't quit and retook the advantage in the second inning. Taylor Roman, Ryan Starr and Taylor Malvin all walked to set up Kennedy Bunker. Bunker tied the game with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to make it 2-2. From there, Pickens continued her huge day with a two run double off the left field wall to make it 4-2.
However, LSU responded with runs in the bottom of the second and third innings, before driving in two more to go ahead 6-4 in the fourth inning.
The Rebels would not quit, getting a scoreless fifth inning out of reliever Lilly Whitten. Pickens contributed once again in the frame, recovering to get the LSU runner streaking home and keep the game in check.
In the sixth inning, a leadoff single from Laylonna Applin set the tone for a rally. Rachel Connors drew a walk, before Starr reentered and advanced with Applin on a sacrifice bunt by Malvin. Bunker came through in the clutch, lacing a single up the middle to tie the game at 6-6.
The Tigers jumped back in front in the bottom half of the sixth inning behind a bases loaded walk, but the Rebels still had one final opportunity in the seventh inning.
Madi George led off the inning with a walk and was pinch run for by Tenly Grisham. Grisham advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a passed ball to set up a scoring chance. A pop up from Taylor Roman was not deep enough to score the run, but Applin extended the inning with a hit by pitch. Starr nearly met the same fate, getting hit early in the count, but the play was ruled a strike for Starr being over the plate. In what could have been a bases loaded situation, the Rebels instead were unable to convert following the play and fell, 7-6.
The Rebels will wrap up the three-game series against the Tigers on Sunday 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: Paytn Monticelli (5-3)
L: Whitten, Lilly (6-1)
Batting:
2B: Pickens, Mackenzie 1
HR: Pickens, Mackenzie 1
RBI: Bunker, Kennedy 3 ; Pickens, Mackenzie 3
SH: Reasner, Cassie 1 ; Malvin, Taylor 1
SF: Bunker, Kennedy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pickens, Mackenzie 1 ; Roman, Taylor 1 ; Applin, Laylonna 1 ; Starr, Ryan 2 ; Malvin, Taylor 1
HBP: Applin, Laylonna 1
Batting:
2B: Jalia Lassiter 1 ; Alix Franklin 1 ; Tori Edwards 1 ; Ally Hutchins 1
RBI: Jalia Lassiter 1 ; Kylee Edwards 3 ; Tori Edwards 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jalia Lassiter 3 ; Sierra Daniel 1 ; Alix Franklin 1 ; Ally Hutchins 1 ; Avery Hodge 1
HBP: Jalia Lassiter 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
0
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Softball vs.North Alabama(04/14/26)
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