No. 23 Ole Miss Shuts Out Mississippi Valley State 8-0

Freshman pitcher Morgan Bruce threw a one-hit shutout as No. 23 Ole Miss softball run ruled Mississippi Valley State, 8-0, Friday night at the Red & Blue Classic.
Bruce was dominant the entire night and took a no-hit bid to the fifth inning, before the Devilettes (2-12) spoiled it to lead off the frame. Bruce walked three and worked through two innings unharmed, improving her season record to 4-0.
Offensively, sophomore Ashton Lampton and Miranda Strother finished with two RBI, as eight different Rebels tallied the 10 hits overall. Ole Miss (14-2) scattered two runs in the first, four in the second, and two more in the fourth for its ninth run-rule victory of 2017.
Junior Elantra Cox and sophomore Kylan Becker were the first two baserunner on in the first after singles, before freshman Alyssa Gonzalez roped an RBI single up the middle putting Ole Miss in front 1-0. After senior Miranda Strother walk, fellow senior Courtney Syrett was hit by a pitch scoring Becker, pushing the lead to 2-0.
An inning later, the Rebels sent all nine hitters to the plate led off by a Dylinn Stancil walk and Cox’s second single of the night. After Becker reached on a fielders’ choice, Lampton delivered an RBI single into right scoring Stancil. With two on and two outs, Strother punched a 2-RBI triple to left field making it 5-0, before sophomore Brittany Finney drove her in off an RBI single up the middle.
The Devilettes went on to make two changes, as the third pitcher of the night surrendered two more in the fourth. Lampton led off the frame with a solo home run to center field, before Sarah Van Schaik eventually singled, a play that scored pinch runner Dominique Salinas from second, capping the scoring for the evening.
Becker and Lampton both finished the game with two runs apiece in what was the Rebels’ 12th game overall with eight runs or more.
Quick Hits
The Rebels’ 8-0 victory marked the ninth run rule decision this season.
With eight runs scored, Ole Miss now scored at least eight runs in 12 contests this season.
Freshman RHP Morgan Bruce improved to 4-0 on the young season, and has allowed just three earned runs through four starts (26.1 innings) this season.
Sophomore Ashton Lampton hit her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to lead off the fourth.
With the win, Ole Miss extends its win streak to 11 games, one shy of tying the school’s overall record for consecutive wins (set last season).
On Deck
Ole Miss continues play in the Red & Blue Classic Saturday with two games vs. Austin Peay at 3 p.m. and Nicholls State at 5:30 p.m.
For all Ole Miss Softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at Instagram.com/olemisssoftball. Fans can also follow head coach Mike Smith on Twitter at @msmithsb16. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.

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Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports