The No. 18 Ole Miss softball program erased a five-run deficit, but ultimately fell just short, falling 7-6 to No. 3 Texas on Thursday evening in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal at Jack Turner Stadium.
Lair Beautae led the way for the Rebels (37-17, 11-13 SEC), with three hits and an RBI while Angelina DeLeon drove in two runs. However, Mia Scott delivered a walk-off double to propel Texas (46-9, 16-8 SEC) to the win.
While a first inning double by Beautae provided some early life, the Rebels faced some first inning adversity, as the Longhorns struck quickly and scored four runs in the frame. However, Aliyah Binford entered the game in the circle and quickly got two strikeouts to help end the inning.
The fourth inning provided some life for the Rebels, as Persy Llamas singled to kick start the inning and was lifted in favor of Ryan Starr as a pinch runner. Starr delivered some timely base running, advancing on a wild pitch and then to third on a deep foul out to right field. That proved fruitful, as Jamie Mackay came in to pinch hit and delivered, dropping an RBI single into right field to cut the lead to 4-1.
Binford continued to keep her team in it, navigating through 3.1 innings of scoreless relief work. However, the Longhorns managed to answer with a two-run home run in the fourth inning to increase the lead to 6-1.
The Rebels did not quit, answering back in the top of the fifth. Rachel Connors was the catalyst of the rally, drawing a pinch hit, hit-by-pitch to kick start the inning. Jaden Pone promptly singled to set up Beautae, who continued her huge day with a double to right center to cut the lead to 6-2.
The rally continued from there, as Binford walked to load the bases and set up Llamas. The freshman delivered once again, this time with an RBI single to make it 6-3. Another Rebel freshman joined in on the offensive attack, as Mackenzie Pickens recorded her own RBI single to make it 6-4.
Down to their last out in the inning, the veteran Angelina DeLeon stepped in and delivered one of the biggest hits of the season, with a two RBI single to left field to tie the game at 6-6. While Texas escaped without further damage, the inning gave the Rebels new life.
Brianna Lopez stepped in the circle in relief and was sharp once again, getting a strikeout in the fifth inning and working around a walk in the sixth inning for three-straight outs.
A groundout and a strikeout in the seventh inning put the Rebels one out away from extra innings, but the Longhorns started a rally with a single and reaching on an error. Ultimately, the Longhorns emerged victorious on an RBI double to win the game.
The Rebels now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament, where they await selection. The NCAA Selection Show is set for 6 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2.
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