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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, May 1
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
31-23, 5-18
3
vs
2
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Mississippi State
37-16, 9-14
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Ole Miss | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Bunker Blasts Two Home Runs, Walks it Off in Softball's Magical Win over No. 16 Mississippi State
5/1/2026 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. – A walk-off home from Kennedy Bunker propelled the Ole Miss softball program to a thrilling, 3-2 win over No. 16 Mississippi State on Friday night at the Alisa and Mark Bourne Stadium.
Bunker led the Rebels (31-23, 5-18 SEC) with a pair of home runs, reaching safely in all four at-bats. Kyra Aycock, Lilly Whitten and Emilee Boyer combined for seven innings in the circle, allowing just five hits and striking out four to defeat the Bulldogs (37-16, 9-14 SEC).
Bunker's big day opened with a bang, leading off the game with a solo blast off the right field light pole to put the Rebels in front just two pitches in.
Aycock started the day in the circle and managed to keep the Bulldogs at bay, generating quick second and third innings, while picking up a strikeout and generating a number of groundouts. However, the visitors would strike for a run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1.
Whitten was next up for the Rebel pitchers, coming in relief to get the final out in the fourth inning and promptly striking out one in the fifth inning to keep the score level.
The Rebels nearly struck in the fifth inning, as walks to Bunker and Mackenzie Pickens helped put runners in scoring position. However, a heads up play by Bulldogs third baseman Nadia Barbary on a Persy Llamas line out, helped the Bulldogs escape the jam with a double play.
Boyer took over for Whitten in the sixth inning after a leadoff double to calmly secure the last two outs of the frame with a pair of strikeouts. That allowed the Rebel offense a chance to click.
Madi George led off the sixth inning with a double and was lifted for Tenly Grisham. After a Cassie Reasner sacrifice bunt, Laylonna Applin found an opportunity with two outs and made no mistake. Applin drove a hot shot into right center field to score Grisham and give the Rebels a 2-1 lead.
Mississippi State would not go away, leading off the seventh inning with a solo home run. However, Boyer shut the door to give her offense a chance in the bottom half of the frame.
With one out, Bunker stepped back up and made no mistake, launching a 1-2 pitch just to the right of her first home run in right field, sealing a big win for the Rebels.
The Rebels will wrap up the final regular season game of the season on Saturday, hosting the Bulldogs for a final time at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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.
Bunker led the Rebels (31-23, 5-18 SEC) with a pair of home runs, reaching safely in all four at-bats. Kyra Aycock, Lilly Whitten and Emilee Boyer combined for seven innings in the circle, allowing just five hits and striking out four to defeat the Bulldogs (37-16, 9-14 SEC).
Bunker's big day opened with a bang, leading off the game with a solo blast off the right field light pole to put the Rebels in front just two pitches in.
Aycock started the day in the circle and managed to keep the Bulldogs at bay, generating quick second and third innings, while picking up a strikeout and generating a number of groundouts. However, the visitors would strike for a run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1.
Whitten was next up for the Rebel pitchers, coming in relief to get the final out in the fourth inning and promptly striking out one in the fifth inning to keep the score level.
The Rebels nearly struck in the fifth inning, as walks to Bunker and Mackenzie Pickens helped put runners in scoring position. However, a heads up play by Bulldogs third baseman Nadia Barbary on a Persy Llamas line out, helped the Bulldogs escape the jam with a double play.
Boyer took over for Whitten in the sixth inning after a leadoff double to calmly secure the last two outs of the frame with a pair of strikeouts. That allowed the Rebel offense a chance to click.
Madi George led off the sixth inning with a double and was lifted for Tenly Grisham. After a Cassie Reasner sacrifice bunt, Laylonna Applin found an opportunity with two outs and made no mistake. Applin drove a hot shot into right center field to score Grisham and give the Rebels a 2-1 lead.
Mississippi State would not go away, leading off the seventh inning with a solo home run. However, Boyer shut the door to give her offense a chance in the bottom half of the frame.
With one out, Bunker stepped back up and made no mistake, launching a 1-2 pitch just to the right of her first home run in right field, sealing a big win for the Rebels.
The Rebels will wrap up the final regular season game of the season on Saturday, hosting the Bulldogs for a final time at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Boyer, Emilee (10-12)
L: Delainey Everett (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Des Rivera 1
HR: Xiane Romero 1
RBI: Nadia Barbary 1 ; Xiane Romero 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Xiane Romero 1 ; Ally Supan 1
Batting:
2B: George, Madi 1 ; Applin, Laylonna 1
HR: Bunker, Kennedy 2
RBI: Bunker, Kennedy 2 ; Applin, Laylonna 1
SH: Reasner, Cassie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bunker, Kennedy 2 ; Grisham, Tenly 1
HBP: Bunker, Kennedy 1 ; Pickens, Mackenzie 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
rf/dh
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
lf/rf
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP/UT
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
LHP/UT
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Softball vs.MSU(05/01/26)
Friday, May 01
HIGHLIGHTS: Softball at Auburn (4-25-2026)
Saturday, April 25
HIGHLIGHTS: Softball at Auburn (4-24-2026)
Friday, April 24
HIGHLIGHTS: Softball vs.Southern Miss(04/21/26)
Tuesday, April 21