In-State Rivals Meet In First Ever Ranked Matchup

The NCAA Softball regular season is coming to a close, and No. 18 Mississippi State will host No. 17 Ole Miss in a series beginning on Thursday with both programs ranked in the top 25 for the first time in the rivalry’s history.

Mississippi State leads the all-time series over the Rebels by a 48-34 margin, including a 26-10 record at home.This series will play a huge role in determining the seeding for not only the SEC Tournament, but it will also give the NCAA Tournament committee a better idea where to place these two teams. Both squads currently sit on the bubble for hosting a regional, which makes this series even more significant.

Mississippi State is currently 35-15 overall with an 11-10 mark in SEC play, and they would finish conference play above .500 for the first time since 2001 with a win in the series. Head Coach Samantha Ricketts also looks to break the school record for ranked wins by a head coach for the Bulldogs.

State currently leads the Southeastern Conference during SEC play in batting average with .297 as well as percentage of leadoff batters reaching base (47.4 percent).

Ole Miss sits at 34-14 overall with a 10-11 mark in conference play. They are 12th in the country with 13 shutouts this year, and pitcher Miali Guachino leads the SEC with six shutouts, also good for 6th in the nation. Head Coach of the Rebels Jamie Trachsel is in her 5th year at Ole Miss and has notched a 174-110 record.

Game Times

Tonight’s series opener begins at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+. Friday’s action will begin at 4 p.m. on SEC Network+, and game three will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 5 p.m. on SEC Network.

Author administrator Kellen Walker