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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Cheyenne Gipson's bases-loaded walk capped a dramatic comeback that snapped the Southeast Missouri team's nine-game losing streak, but Morehead State held the Redhawks to only three hits in the next contest to force a doubleheader split on Saturday afternoon.

The Redhawks (5-12, 1-1 Ohio Valley) and Eagles (6-9, 1-1 OVC) combined for 13 runs in the seventh inning as Southeast won an 11-10 slugfest in both team's conference openers. MSU came right back in the next game and shut the Southeast offense down to take a 3-1 decision in the nightcap.

That was a huge comeback,” Southeast head coach Lana Richmond said. “They did it by being patient and doing the things they needed to do. When you are in that situation, you aren't five runs down, you are playing with three outs. Our batters recognized that and it was good for them to come back and get the win. We have a chance to come out tomorrow and take two out of three to open conference play.”

Southeast 11, MSU 10

The day started with both pitchers looking sharp early. Alora Marble was dominant in the circle the first time through the MSU lineup. The sophomore allowed only one hit and fanned five Eagle batters in the first four innings. Morehead State's Jami Whitcomb was just as strong, retiring the first 10 Southeast batters.

“Alora was really cruising in the first five innings,” Richmond said. “She just had a couple bad innings at the end. I have every confidence that she will get it done for our staff.”

Cheyenne Gipson earned the Redhawks' first hit, legging out an infield single with one out in the fourth. Renee Kertz brought her home one batter later, doubling to the wall in right center to open the scoring. Southeast wasn't done there, Taylor Cowan drew a two-out walk and came around on an RBI double by Lindsey Patterson to make the score 2-0 after four full innings.

The lead lasted only two batters as the Eagles got a double from Amber Riddle and tied it up on a home run by Kayla Ashbrook in the top of the fifth. MSU grabbed a 3-2 lead on a two-out RBI single by leadoff batter Adrena Anderson.

Southeast took advantage of an extra opportunity in the sixth inning as Morehead State committed a two-out error to put Cowan on base. L. Patterson made the Eagles pay for the miscue with her second RBI double of the game, tying the contest at 3-3. Shelby Stein continued the rally with another RBI double, this one off the right field wall to put the Redhawks ahead 4-3 and chase Whitcomb from the circle.

Coach Richmond summoned Alene Bethel from the bench to pinch hit and the sophomore delivered an RBI single to extend the Redhawks' lead to 5-3 after six innings.

MSU stormed back in the seventh, starting with three consecutive singles before Katie Raile tied it up with a two-run double, which chased Marble from the game. After Shea Cothren got a quick out on a comebacker, the Eagles recorded five straight singles to grab a 10-5 lead. In total, MSU scored seven runs in the seventh inning.

The Redhawks came back valiantly once again, loading the bases on two singles and a walk before Cowan drew a walk with the bases full to make it 10-6 and bring the tying run to the plate with nobody out. L. Patterson continued her big day with a two-run single to make it 10-8. After Stein was hit by a pitch, MSU brought in Katie Pfost to try and protect the dwindling lead.

Pfost retired the first two Redhawks on a strikeout and a force out at home. Down to one more out, Southeast went to the bench again and brought in Brittany Smith to pinch hit. Smith drew a five-pitch walk to force in a run, making it 10-9 and brought leadoff batter Evan Sallis to the plate. The Redhawks' second baseman came through with a game-tying single through the right side of the infield. With the bases still full, Gipson looked at four straight balls to cap the dramatic comeback.

Patterson was the offensive hero, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. She also recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh to pick up her second win of the season. Marble pitched into the seventh inning and fanned six batters, but gave up seven runs on nine hits and did not factor into the decision.

“Lindsay had several key hits,” Richmond said. “She drove in a lot of runs in the first game and she responded when we called on her to stop the Morehead offense. A lot of players stepped up in the comeback, but she really stood out. She had a really good day.”

Jami Whitcomb for MSU went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out one and walking another. Ashley Imperial took the loss out of the pen, allowing six runs in one-third of an inning.

MSU 3, Southeast 1

After the offensive display at the end of game one, Morehead State turned right around and held Southeast to only three hits. The combination of pitching and timely hitting allowed MSU to earn the split.

“We're disappointed that we couldn't get a sweep today,” Richmond said. “I give Morehead a lot of credit. They came through in the clutch when they had runners on in the second game. Unfortunately, our bats weren't able to get it done in game two. We need to do a better job coming out focused in the early part of games.”

Morehead State got onto the board right away in the nightcap, as Adrena Anderson singled and stole second to start the game. Anderson came around on an Elizabeth Wagner single, putting the Eagles on top 1-0.

The MSU lead held until the fifth inning. L. Patterson was hit by a pitch to start the Southeast rally. Two batters later, Stein laced a double off the wall in left center to plate pinch runner Renee Terry and even the score at 1-1.

“Shelby also had a nice day. She worked some nice a couple nice at bats and drove in some big runs. We just need more people to contribute and our pitchers need to shut it down in the circle.”

The Eagles countered back with a run of their own in the top of the sixth as Jamie Massaro and Katie Randle hit back-to-back doubles to make it a 2-1 ballgame. MSU added an insurance tally in the top of the seventh on an Amber Riddle solo home run with two outs.

Southeast put the tying runs on base thanks to a Cowan single and a Morehead State error. The runners moved up 60 feet on a groundout to the pitcher. That was as far as they got as the next Redhawk batter flew out to center field and the trail runner was forced out at second to end the game.

Cowan went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs on 10 hits while walking four batters and fanning one in her seven innings of work. Katie Pfost held Southeast's lineup to only one run on three hits. She also struck out five batters and walked only one.

The two teams meet once more on Sunday morning for the rubber game of the series. First pitch has been moved up to 10:30 a.m.