Ole Miss Softball Opens 2026 Season at Easton Classic in California

The University of Mississippi softball team is set to open its 2026 season at the Easton Classic in Fullerton, California. The Rebels, ranked No. 14 nationally, will face Cal State Fullerton on Thursday at 7 p.m. local time, with a second game scheduled for 9:30 p.m., both streamed on ESPN Plus.

Ole Miss is coming off a historic 2025 season that saw the program reach its first Women’s College World Series. The team has a mix of 16 newcomers, including 10 transfers and six freshmen, aiming to build on last year’s success. Among the transfers are Division II National Player of the Year Emilee Boyer from West Texas A&M and All-Big East honoree Hope Jenkins from UConn.

Head coach Jamie Trachsel’s squad boasts a top-25 national ranking for the first time since 2018. The team’s roster features returning stars such as Persy Llamas, who hit .354 last season and earned All-SEC Second Team honors. Llamas played a key role in postseason success, including a memorable performance in the Women’s College World Series.

Ole Miss’s offense and pitching staff continue to develop a tradition of two-way talent, with players like Boyer and Jenkins expected to contribute both offensively and on the mound. The team also added freshmen Payton Kennedy and Addi Linton, both of whom are on the Softball America and D1Softball preseason watch lists.

Last season, Mackenzie Pickens established herself as a key middle infielder, delivering clutch hits in postseason play. The Rebels also strengthened their roster through the transfer portal, adding several impactful players, including Kentucky’s Cassie Reasner and outfielder Cassidy Patterson, who has stolen 133 bases over her NCAA career. Cal State Fullerton, the host of the tournament, enters the season with high expectations after a 37-17 campaign in 2025.

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