Feb. 20, 2013

Box Score - Ole Miss 3, Southern Miss 0 | Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss senior pitcher Erinn Jayjohn threw a complete game shutout in game two of Wednesday's doubleheader against Southern Miss, leading the Rebel softball team (5-8) to a 3-0 victory over the Golden Eagles.

The Rebels, after falling 7-4 in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader, regrouped between games and got a grind-it-out 3-0 victory that was highlighted by Jayjohn's performance in the circle, two RBIs from junior second baseman Marina Parra and a solo home run from junior center fielder RT Cantillo.

Jayjohn, a captain for the Rebels, allowed seven hits in her seven innings of work, and struck out five batters. The start and win were both season firsts, and after the game Ole Miss softball head coach Windy Thees spoke highly of Jayjohn's presence in the circle and her attitude.

"(Erinn) has a lot of attitude out there on the mound, she's really confident and she was helping our youngsters - we have a lot of youngsters on the field - showing them how to act out there," Thees said.

"To come out and throw seven innings - I haven't thrown a complete game yet, it was my first start," Jayjohn said. "It was big-time for me. As a senior, I wanted to lead out there. It was a good time. My team had my back and we hit today."

Ole Miss got on the board first in the fourth inning with an RBI single up the middle by Parra that scored sophomore third baseman Allison Brown. Cantillo then knocked her first home run of the season, a solo shot, in the fifth inning, and the Rebels closed out their scoring in the sixth inning with another RBI by Parra on a fielder's choice.

"Our kids have to hate losing so badly that they'll do anything," Thees said. "It doesn't matter what inning it is, it doesn't matter how they play, they have to sit there and know if they only get one run an inning, that's how they'll do it. We're going to scratch, claw, get hit by a pitch, walk, whatever it takes. I don't care if it's a great line drive hit or a bloop hit, we're going to find a way to get a hit, get on base, get them over and get them in."

Brown, who had her streak of five straight games with at least one double end in game one Wednesday, rebounded with a 2-3 performance in game two where she scored two of Ole Miss' three runs. Sophomore designated player Lauren Lindsey had a good day at the plate, going 2-2 in game two, and 1-1 in game one as a pinch hitter.

Ole Miss will host Drake, McNeese State, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi Valley State and Tennessee-Martin as part of the Red and Blue Classic from Friday-Sunday. The Rebels will open the tournament Friday with McNeese State at 6 p.m. CT. Ole Miss will face UT-Martin at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, and Drake at 3:45 p.m. CT. The Rebels will close out the tournament with a pair of games Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. against Middle Tennessee State and Mississippi Valley State, respectively.

Rebels Fall in Doubleheader Opener

Box Score - Southern Miss 7, Ole Miss 3

OXFORD, Miss. - Freshman second baseman Melina Preciado hit a two-run triple to right field in the bottom of the second, but it wasn't enough for Ole Miss, who fell in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader against Southern Miss, 7-4.

Preciado's triple and two RBIs were the first of her young career. The Rebels put up three runs in the bottom of the second to pull themselves within two of the Golden Eagles at 5-3, but Southern Miss stretched the lead to 7-3 in the top of the third and the Rebels could only plate one more run in the game.

Freshman pitcher Madi Osias came into the game with one out away in the first inning, and went the final 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out a career-high seven batters.

Cantillo continued her strong play at the plate in game one of the doubleheader, going 2-3 with an RBI single.

For all Ole Miss softball news and information, including live stats and a recap Wednesday's games, go to OleMissSports.com. Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball and on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball.

Ole Miss Senior Pitcher Erinn Jayjohn

Ole Miss Softball Head Coach Windy Thees