Third Inning Surge Powers Softball to NCAA Regional Win Over Boston University

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Boston U	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	6	8	0
Ole Miss	1	0	7	0	0	0	X	8	12	0

Boston U

Ole Miss

LUBBOCK, Texas – Behind a seven-run third inning, the Ole Miss softball program opened up the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a bang, downing Boston University, 8-6, on Friday afternoon at Tracey Sellers Field.

The Rebels (35-24, 6-18 SEC) kick started a big inning with a Mackenzie Pickens home run and never looked back, holding off a late charge by the Terriers (46-14, 16-2 Patriot). Madi George drove in three runs, while Lilly Whitten delivered six sterling innings of relief, allowing three runs and striking out two.

The Terriers were the first to strike, building off a trio of walks to score the game’s opening run. Taylor Malvin was able to generate a key double play and limited the Terriers to just one more run on a sacrifice fly, catching the runner trying to advance to third base.

The Rebels quickly mounted a response, as singles from Pickens and Persy Llamas, followed by a George hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. From there, Laylonna Applin drove in a run with an infield single to cut the lead to 2-1.

After a scoreless second inning, the Rebel offense surged in the third. Pickens set the tone with a solo blast to center field to tie the game at 2-2.

From there, a Llamas single set up an opportunity for George, who launched her 22nd home run of the season to make it 4-2.

A hit-by-pitch on Applin restarted the offense following George’s bases clearing blast. Singles by Tenly Grisham and Makenna Bellaire loaded the bases for Malvin, who calmly lined a two-run single to extend the lead to 6-2.

After a Kennedy Bunker walk, the Rebels added two more runs on back-to-back, bases loaded hit-by-pitches on Llamas and George that extended the lead to 8-2.

Whitten took over from there, keeping the Terriers largely at bay. Whitten stifled the Terriers offense, allowing just one run through the next three innings.

However, the Terriers made a late push, striking for a pair of home runs and three runs in total in the seventh inning. The Rebels turned to Emilee Boyer to close out the game, as the senior generated a key double play to end the day.

The Rebels will return to action on Saturday, facing the winner of 11th-seeded Texas Tech and Marist. The game is slated for 2 p.m. CT.

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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

Grisham Tenly

Pickens Mackenzie

Llamas Persy

George Madi

The University of Mississippi Athletics