Rebels take pitcher’s duel over Northern Iowa to win OM Classic title

Published 12:00 pm Monday, February 29, 2016

Ole Miss softball capped a perfect weekend in the Ole Miss Classic, defeating Northern Iowa, 1-0, in the championship game Sunday afternoon at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

Similar to the four prior results on the weekend, pitching was the name of the game on Sunday as the two teams combined for just five hits. After junior Alyssa Clayton exited the game in the fourth, senior Madi Osias (7-1) entered in relief and shut the Panthers down with four strikeouts and no hits allowed over the final four innings.

After the weekend sweep, the Rebels’ 14-3 record is tied for the best start in school history, tying the 1999 squad’s record.

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Clayton, Osias and Elisha Jahnke were near lights out for the Rebels in the Ole Miss Classic, only allowing 13 hits across the five games and just two earned runs. As a unit the trio combined for a 0.44 ERA on the weekend and struck out 33 hitters holding opposing lineups to just a .116 average.

The Rebels’ only hit allowed on Sunday was a leadoff single, and from there Clayton and Osias cruised to the victory. Freshman Hailey Lunderman went 2-for-3 to lead the Rebel offense, while Elantra Cox and Kylan Becker added one hit each.

The moment of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Rebels scratched the only run across thanks to a UNI error.