The Ole Miss softball team took an early 3-1 lead, but couldn’t hang on as No. 13 Missouri scored four runs over the final four innings to top the Rebels, 5-3, Friday night in the SEC opener at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

Despite allowing 11 hits, Ole Miss (20-4, 0-1 SEC) kept it close as the Tigers (14-3, 1-0 SEC) left nine runners on base in the contest.

Senior Madi Osias (10-2) worked five innings in the circle and gave up three runs off eight hits, while Elisha Jahnke worked the final two frames with two runs allowed off three hits.

As an offense the Rebels posted just four hits, one each from Elantra Cox, Miranda Strother, Ashton Lampton and Bri Payne.

After the Tigers pushed one run across to start the contest, Ole Miss scored twice, once off a bases loaded walk, and the other off a wild pitch from Missouri pitcher Paige Lowary (8-2).

Both teams went scoreless over the next two frames, before Missouri added a run each in the fourth and fifth off a single and fielder’s choice, before scoring the final two runs of the contest in the sixth off a single and stolen base at home.

Saturday’s game was postponed because of rain. The teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader today starting at noon.