LEXINGTON, Ky. — Emilee Boyer tossed a complete game shutout, allowing four hits and striking out six, as Ole Miss softball defeated No. 23 South Carolina 2-0 in the opening round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday night at John Cropp Stadium.
Boyer’s performance kept the Rebels (33-23, 6-18 SEC) in control throughout the game. She allowed just four hits and issued one walk, helping Ole Miss secure its fifth straight opening-round win at the conference tournament.
The Rebels took an early lead in the first inning, with Persy Llamas hitting a solo home run to give Ole Miss a 1-0 advantage. Boyer responded by keeping South Carolina off the board, even after the Gamecocks advanced a runner into scoring position in the first inning. She generated weak contact for the final out to preserve the lead.
Ole Miss added an insurance run in the fifth inning. Tenly Grisham started the rally with an infield single, and Taylor Malvin followed with a double to left-center to score Grisham from first. Boyer continued to dominate on the mound, retiring the side in the bottom of the fifth and striking out two more batters in the sixth.
South Carolina broke Boyer’s string of 10 consecutive retired batters with a single in the sixth inning but failed to capitalize. Boyer finished strong, striking out the final batter in the seventh to seal the victory. The Rebels will face No. 5 Tennessee on Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
Ole Miss is competing in its third consecutive SEC Tournament appearance. The team’s next game will be against the Volunteers, as they look to advance further in the postseason.
