Feb. 17, 2013

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Freshman designated player Madi Osias batted in four runs and junior pitcher Carly Hummel struck out nine as the Ole Miss softball team (4-7) defeated Jackson State 10-2 in six innings Sunday morning at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile, Ala.

Osias, who opened the tournament against Lamar with her first collegiate victory as a pitcher, finished it as a designated player against JSU (3-7) with her first collegiate home run, a three-run shot over the left field wall. Osias went 3-4 against Jackson State, with four RBI, a home run, and one run scored.

Hummel was in command in the circle throughout the game against the Lady Tigers, throwing all six innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out nine, a season-high.

“Allison Brown was able to keep her hitting going which was great, and Carly Hummel pitched well out there,” Ole Miss assistant coach Mike Perniciaro said. “Lauren Lindsey’s pinch hit double was probably the biggest hit of the game. That really broke it open. Madi Osias had a few key hits and was able to drive in some runs for us as well.”

Ole Miss wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first. After reaching first on a fielding error, senior left fielder Brittany Broome stole second, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and came home on a wild pitch. RT Cantillo then hit a double to left-center, and advanced to third on a fly out from Londen Ladner. With Allison Brown on first, the Rebels executed a double steal to perfection to give them the 2-0 lead after the first.

The Rebels broke the game open in the top of the fourth with five runs on six hits. Freshman catcher Natalie Martinez singled to left field, followed by a single from freshman right fielder Bri Payne. After a sacrifice bunt by Broome advanced both runners, Lindsey came in as a pinch hitter and clobbered a two-run double to right-center to give Ole Miss a 4-0 lead. Cantillo then drove in Haley Culley, who came back in the game for Lindsey, with a single up the middle. Brown followed Cantillo by driving her in with her first of two doubles on the day to give Ole Miss a 6-0 lead. Osias closed out the scoring in the fifth with an RBI single to right field.

Osias, a native of Tustin, Calif., finished the game off in the sixth inning with a three-run home run over the left field wall, driving home Melina Preciado and Cantillo to give Ole Miss a 10-0 advantage. Jackson State scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn’t extend the game with a third run.

Brown finished the day with two doubles, and has now hit a double in five straight games. In those five games, Brown has notched six doubles, and her nine doubles on the season are one shy of her 2012 season total.

Cantillo also registered multiple hits against the Lady Tigers, going 2-3 with three runs scored, a double, one RBI and a walk. Cantillo also had a career-high three stolen bases.

Brown and Cantillo were each named to the Mardi Gras Invitational All-Tournament team for their performances. In 14 at-bats, Brown hit .500 with five doubles, a triple and five RBI. Cantillo, in 12 at-bats, hit .583, with six runs scored and three RBI.

The Rebels will play again Wednesday against Southern Miss in a doubleheader at the Ole Miss Softball Complex at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. CT. On Friday, the Rebels will open the Red and Blue Classic against McNeese State with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball and on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball.

Allison Brown and Madi Osias