Final Statistics

MONROE, La. - Kayla Fortner went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, run scored and three RBI as Southeast Missouri (0-1) dropped its season-opener to Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Alabama State (2-4), 8-5, Friday afternoon in the first day of the Mardi Gras Classic.

Fortner, who hit third in the lineup, made a smashing Southeast debut, belting her first home run over the center field wall during her second at-bat in the top of the fourth inning. The Redhawks trailed, 3-0, at the time before Fortner's blast made it a one-run game.

Shortly after Meaghan Touchette scored on an error, Fortner gave Southeast its first lead at 4-3 when she knocked in Claire Wernig on a two-out single to center in the fifth.

Southeast's one-run edge didn't last for long as the Hornets answered right back in the bottom of the fifth. Brittney Wilson smacked a two-run homer to left field, regaining a 5-4 advantage for ASU.

Riley Hayes then knotted the game at 5-5 when she singled home Lindsey Patterson with one out in the sixth, but the Hornets countered with three more tallies on four hits in the bottom half of the inning to get by the Redhawks.

Freshman Madeline Krumrey (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits in her first career start. Krumrey also walked three and struck out two in five innings.

Melissa Christmann (1-0) picked up her first win in relief. Christmann entered the game in the sixth and gave up just one hit in two scoreless innings.

Offensively, Southeast had eight hits, with Fortner, Savannah Carpenter and freshman Taylor McDannold paving the way with two apiece. Five different Redhawks, including Wernig, Alexis Anderson, Fortner, Patterson and Touchette scored a run.

Wilson went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI to lead ASU.