MURRAY, Ky. – The Southeast Missouri (8-12, 1-1 OVC) softball team split their first Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader against Murray (7-12, 1-1 OVC) on Saturday; winning game one 9-3 before falling in game two 8-1.

Alexis Anderson went 5-for-7 on the day, hitting two home runs, a double, batting four runs in, scored three runs, and had two stolen bases against the Racers. To top it off, Anderson robbed the Racers of a home run in game one.

“We had a solid defensive performance in the first game and we responded offensively as well,” said head coach Lana Richmond. “We came from behind after giving up three early runs and our defense held each time. Anderson had a monster day at the plate as well as robbing a home run. It is good to see her break-out at the plate!”

Southeast Missouri 9, Murray State 3
Taylor Cowan gave up three runs to the Racers in the first inning but pitched six innings of scoreless softball after. Murray scored on an RBI single followed by a two-run home run from Ellyn Troup.

Anderson led-off the second inning with her first home run in a Redhawk uniform. Anderson came through again in the third to plate Cowan with an RBI single to right-center, cutting Murray's lead to 3-2.

Southeast scored again in the fifth when they executed a double steal, Anderson swiped second followed by Renee Terry stealing home to tie the game at three runs each. Brittany Smith drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single through the left side, plating Anderson. Southeast pulled off their second double steal of the inning when Kaitlin Zink stole second and B. Smith stole home.

Anderson came through again in the game with an RBI double in the sixth inning, extending the Redhawk lead to 6-3.

Zink added to the lead in the seventh with a big home run to left field, putting the Redhawks up 9-3. Southeast shut the Racers down in order in the bottom of the inning to earn their first OVC win of the season.

Southeast out-hit Murray 14-7 in the contest. Zink went 2-for-4 with three RBI; Lindsey Patterson went 2-for-3; and Cowan went 2-for-4.

Cowan (5-6) pitched her eighth complete game of the season giving up three runs on seven hits, striking two batters out and walking two.

Shelbey Kosmecki (3-8) recorded the loss going 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits to the Redhawks.

“Cowan continues to have excellent outings for us in the circle and Zink's defense at shortstop stole extra bases from Murray batters,” Richmond added.

Murray State 8, Southeast Missouri 1
Much like the Redhawks did to the Racers in game one, Murray gave up a run early but held Southeast as they continued to widen their lead throughout the game.

The Racers touched home in the first on a wild pitch followed by a sac fly to go up 2-0.

Anderson did it again for the second time on the day when she went long to right center to cut the Murray lead to 2-1; however, this would be the closest Southeast would get to Murray in the contest.

The Racers added two runs in the third on a two-RBI double off the bat of Sarah Anderson; added one run in the fifth on a Redhawk error; and three runs in the sixth with a two-run home run from Casey Castile and a one-run home run from Alexa Becker, increasing the lead to 8-1 over Southeast.

L. Patterson went 2-for-3 in game two while Anderson and Cowan each added a hit as Southeast was out-hit by Murray, 10-4.

Shelbey Miller, Castile, and Becker each had two hits for the Racers.

Lauren Reinagel (1-1) suffered the loss, giving up four runs on five hits to the Racers in 2.0 innings of work.

ChayAnne Gaskey (4-4) earned the complete game victory giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight Redhawk batters.

The Redhawks and Racers face off in the rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m. from Murray.