Game 1 Box Scores (HTML | PDF) | Game 2 Box Scores (HTML | PDF)
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Alora Marble's pitching and the Redhawks' potent lineup gave the Southeast Missouri softball team a much needed doubleheader sweep over Tennessee State on Saturday.
Marble tossed a three-hitter in the first game and the Redhawks (21-25, 12-13 Ohio Valley) scored eight first-inning runs in the nightcap to down the Tigers (11-33, 3-20 OVC) by counts of 2-0 and 12-4 at the Southeast Softball Complex.
“We are in a situation where we have to win every OVC game to get to the conference tournament,” Southeast head coach Lana Richmond said. “It was very important to get these wins today but we have to keep doing it tomorrow and after this when we go to Murray State.”
Southeast 2, TSU 0
Both pitchers were sharp early, allowing only two hits in the first three innings, although
Alora Marble and Shea Morris combined for only one strikeout in the first three innings.
?Southeast got on the board in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a one-out rally from the middle of the order.
Taylor Cowan drilled a single and advanced to third on a Lindsay Patterson double. That set the stage for
Xia Wilson, who lofted a deep sacrifice fly to right field to make it 1-0.
After Marble struck out the side in the top of the fifth, the Redhawks took advantage of some Tiger miscues to add to their lead.
Shelby Stein reached on a fielding error, then was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Evan Sallis. Stein took off to steal third and with nobody covering third base a throw went into the outfield allowing her to score and make it 2-0 after five full innings.
Marble made those runs stand, allowing only one more base runner in the last two innings to complete her second shutout of the season. Marble (12-12) allowed only three hits and three walks while fanning three batters. Only one Tiger reached third base the entire game.
“Marble was in control today,” Richmond said. “She scattered three hits and we look for her to do more of the same tomorrow.”
Southeast 12, TSU 4
Southeast jumped ahead right away in game two, plating eight runs in the first inning as the Redhawks sent 13 batters to the plate.
Cheyenne Gipson started the rally with an RBI single,
Renee Kertz launched a home run to left, Wilson and
Simone Patterson drove in runs with RBI singles,
Shelby Stein drew a bases loaded walk, another run scored on an error and Kertz came back up and drilled a two-run single to cap the scoring.
TSU got a run back in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly, but Kaitlin Wallace answered with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame to make it a 9-1 ballgame.
The Tigers scratched another run across in the top of the third on an Aisha Walker single to make it 9-2. The Redhawks jumped back into the eight-run rule territory with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The first five batters reached base on four hits and a fielder's choice, the last two of that sequence were a two-run single by Kertz followed by an RBI single by Cowan to make the score 12-2 in favor of Southeast.
“We didn't swing the bat often enough at Eastern Illinois,” Richmond said. “It was great to put up an eight spot in the first inning and keep grinding away. It also allowed us to rest
Xia Wilson, who has caught a lot of innings for us.”
TSU clawed back and got two runs in the top of the fifth, but L. Patterson took advantage of a double play that cleared the bases and struck out the final batter to secure the five-inning win.
Kertz and Wilson each recorded three hits on the day with Kertz going 3-for-4 with a homer and five RBI in game two and went 4-for-7 overall on Saturday. Wilson was a perfect 3-for-3 before getting lifted late for some rest with the Redhawks up big.
Shea Cothren improved to 6-9 after allowing two runs (one earned) in three innings of work. She scattered four hits and four walks while striking out one batter.
Stefanie Barnes pitched a scoreless fourth inning and L. Patterson pitched the fifth to close out the contest.
Southeast concludes this three-game set against TSU on Sunday at 1 p.m.
