Rebels fall to Florida in SEC Tourney

Published 12:02 pm Friday, May 13, 2016

STARKVILLE — Although Ole Miss fell in the SEC Softball Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night, there’s nothing for the Rebels to hang their heads about as the team capped off what was a very strong showing in Starkville.

Just 24 hours after earning their first win ever in the SEC Tournament over No. 15 Georgia, Ole Miss (39-20) gave No. 1 Florida all it could handle, falling in a heartbreaker 1-0 despite going four innings without a run allowed.

Senior pitcher Madi Osias, who’s been the anchor in the circle all season, was again effective Thursday, shutting out the two-time defending national champions for a majority of the contest.

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After the contest got underway at 4:35 p.m., thunderstorms moved into the area forcing a delay at 5:18 p.m. After a wait of more than three plus hours, the two teams finally resumed past 8 p.m. local time in the third inning.

Both teams went scoreless in the first through fourth, but it was the fifth that looked to be promising for the Rebels, and ended up being the frame that was all the difference in favor of the home team.

Kylan Becker got Ole Miss’ only hit to leadoff the fifth off a single through the left side, before Courtney Syrett moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt. When Dakota Matiko drew her ball four to walk, Becker moved to third on the wild pitch setting the tables for Grayce Majam. But, a hard-hit line drive off Majam’s bat went right to the shortstop, and the ensuing throw went to first for the double play, thwarting what was a potential offensive inning for the Rebels.

In the next half, Florida got it going when Stewart doubled to left center and moved to third on an error. After two straight walks, Osias worked a big strikeout to Amanda Lorenz, before a passed ball put the runners in motion.