FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A relentless offensive effort led Ole Miss’ softball team to the brink of history.

Aliyah Binford and Ashton Lansdell homered, and the Rebels scored in each of the first four innings as they beat Arkansas 9-7 in Game 1 of their NCAA Tournament super regional series on Friday.

Ole Miss (41-18) can advance to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in school history by beating Arkansas (43-13) again in Game 2 Saturday at 8 p.m. If Game 3 is needed, it will be played Sunday.

Friday’s win was the first-ever for Ole Miss in a super regional. It was swept in its two previous appearances.
Binford hit a solo homer in the first inning, but Arkansas answered with a three-run home run by Kailey Wyckoff in the bottom half. Ole Miss tied it on Taylor Roman’s two-run double in the second, then took the lead for good by scoring four times in the top of the third.

Lexie Brady and Mackenzie Pickens hit RBI doubles before Lansdell belted a two-run home run to left field to give the Rebels a 7-3 lead. They tacked on two more runs in the fourth, then held on as Arkansas made a late push.

Pickens finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored, while Lansdell had three RBIs and scored two runs.
Binford was 1-for-3 with the home run and two runs scored, and also pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief to earn her fourth save of the season. She allowed one unearned run and struck out three batters.

Arkansas gave itself one last shot at a comeback win at home, placing two on with nobody out in the seventh inning. Binford struck out back-to-back Razorbacks, including national player of the year Bri Ellis, and induced a game-ending flyout to secure the win.