Ole Miss Beats Kentucky 7-2 in SEC Play-In Game Tuesday Night
AUBURN, Ala. – The 13th-seeded Ole Miss Rebels beat 12th-seeded Kentucky 7-2 on Tuesday night at the play-in game of the 2024 Southeastern Conference Softball Championship in Auburn, Alabama.
The Rebels got a run in the top of the first, two in the top of the third and then scored in each of the last three innings off of the Kentucky bullpen to close out the game. The Rebels hit two home runs off of the Wildcats, as UK managed just three hits on the night with both of the Kentucky runs scoring via an Ole Miss throwing error.
The 2024 NCAA Softball Selection Show will be Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET with the broadcast live on ESPN2 with Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza and Amanda Scarbrough exclusively unveiling the field of 64 that will compete next weekend in the regional rounds. Kentucky is situated at No. 29 in the NCAA RPI and positioned well for its 15th-straight at-large bid to the NCAA Championship.
With the win Tuesday night, Ole Miss advances into the first round of the SEC Championship, with play scheduled to begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET and the Rebels will be in the 12:30 p.m. CT contest with fifth-seeded Ole Miss.
Stephanie Schoonover was tagged with the loss in the game, throwing the first three innings, allowing three runs, including a home run. Ole Miss starter Grace Sparks picked up her ninth win of the season and third-straight win as she is now 9-2.
Key Play
The key play in the game was a home run by Ole Miss in the top of the first inning that gave the Rebs the early lead that they never relinquished.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player was Vanessa Nesby, who saved two Ole Miss home runs. Nesby robbed one in the top of the second inning and one in the top of the fourth inning to save a total of four runs.
Key Stat
- The Kentucky pitchers issued 10 free passes in the game Tuesday night with seven coming via a walk and three coming via a hit by pitch.
Run Recap
Ole Miss got a solo home run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. OM 1, UK 0
In the top of the third, an RBI single and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded gave Ole Miss the three-run cushion. OM 3, UK 0
Kentucky scored twice in the bottom of the third as Hallie Mitchell and Emory Donaldson scored on an errant throw from a passed ball. OM 3, UK 2
A sac fly in the fifth re-instated a lead for Ole Miss to two runs. OM 4, UK 2
After a two-run home run in the top of the sixth following an error, Ole Miss stretched its lead to five, the largest of the game. FINAL – Ole Miss 7, Ole Miss 2
NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.
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