Stevenson’s hot bat helps Ole Miss secure victory

HATTIESBURG, Ms. – Ole Miss softball snapped a five-game skid in a big way, routing Southern Miss 9-1 in five innings Wednesday afternoon at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

The Rebels (14-11, 0-3 SEC) bounced back in a big way, dominating Southern Miss (15-6, 0-0 Sun Belt) in a midweek in-state showdown. Three Rebels, Aynslie Furbush, Keila Kamoku and Mya Stevenson, registered multi-hit games as five of Ole Miss’ nine hits went for extra bases. In the circle, Furbush picked up his sixth win of the season, pitching 2.1 innings of relief with four strikeouts.

Tate Whitley did what he does best in his best spot, running around to get his offense going. The senior advanced to second moments later on a wild pitch and came around to score with two outs on a Southern Miss error to give Kliethermes and the Rebels a 1-0 lead in the circle.

Ole Miss continued to apply pressure in the second. After Aynslie Furbush doubled to open the inning and Paige Smith followed her with a single. With one out in the frame, Whitley walked to load the bases for Rebel slugger Mya Stevenson. He delivered, sending one right back up the middle to plate two. The Rebels tacked on another run in the following inning as Furbush slapped another double to score Mikayla Allee.

Kliethermes kept the Golden Eagles off the board until the third inning when a walk and back-to-back singles turned into the first run for Southern Miss. Furbush took over in the circle after the walk loaded the bases, but he used a big punchout. to stop the threat.

The Rebels broke it open in the fourth, putting up five points. Whitley walked for the third time, and Jalia Lassiter laid down a bunt and used her speed to take an extra base on a throwing error. With runners in scoring position, Stevenson doubled off the wall in center field to drive in the third and fourth runs of the game. Keila Kamoku followed with a double to right to score Jenna Lord, who pinch-ran for Stevenson, and extended the lead to six.

Continuing the rally with only one out in the inning, Kamoku swiped third and stole home after Southern Miss tried to catch Savana Sikes stealing. The Rebels continued to be crafty on the basepaths, committing a double steal and scoring the ninth of the game on a sacrifice bunt.

Furbush cruised the rest of the way and slammed the door on Southern Miss closing out the run-rule victory with back-to-back strikeouts and a flyout.

Ole Miss returns to Oxford to host the Rebel Invitational March 17-19.