April 17, 2008

University, MS (UWIRE) -- The Ole Miss softball team (19-24, 3-17 SEC) is fresh off a series victory over the 12th-ranked LSU Tigers after winning the last two games of the set.

One Rebel who stood out over the weekend was sophomore Lauren Grill. Grill led the way with two three-run home runs on the weekend, including the game winning shot on Saturday. Grill, an Oregon native, also blasted another two-run bomb on Tuesday against Mississippi State.

The sophomore hit a scorching .417 batting average with three homers and drove in eight runs over the week. She was honored as the SEC player of the week for the first time in her career.

"It's a great honor for her, and she had a tremendous week for us," head coach Missy Dickerson said. "She was very impressive with two home runs to help us beat Mississippi State and LSU. She is doing exactly what we have asked her to do, and you cannot ask for anything more than that."

Grill is not the only Rebel who has stepped up her game in the final month of the season. Becky Nye put forth an impressive pitching performance on Saturday in the 3-1 win over LSU. Nye pitched a complete game and struck out four to key the Rebels to their second SEC victory of the season.

Ole Miss will play No. 10 ranked Tennessee in a double-header today with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. The series in Knoxville is an important one for the Rebels, who are attempting to close out their season in a strong fashion. The Vols are currently second in the SEC East with a 10-6 SEC record and 40-7 overall.

"It's huge just like all the rest of our series that we have remaining," Dickerson explained. "We're looking at trying to get as many wins as possible, and going into Tennessee and playing on their home field does not make that job any easier."

The Rebs are hoping their recent string of success can provide the team with the momentum needed to knock off the Tennessee Lady Vols in Knoxville in their double-header on Wednesday.

"I definitely think those wins were huge for us, especially playing in LSU and being able to say that we got our first series win, but we have to get as many victories as we can over the next two and a half weeks," Dickerson said.

Despite having to play two games back-to-back, Dickerson and the Rebs are focused and ready.

"This is what softball is all about. Towards the end of the season, you get low on your energy levels and you just have to play through it and try to do the best you can," Dickerson added.

(C) 2008 Daily Mississippian via UWIRE