Final Statistics

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Eastern Illinois (17-24, 12-10) scored seven runs on nine hits in the final three innings to beat Southeast Missouri (15-24, 9-12), 7-4, Sunday afternoon at the Southeast Softball Complex.

Down, 1-0, after four innings, EIU took its first lead of the series when it plated three runs in the fifth.

Hannah Rachor singled down the right field line and went to third on a single by April Markowski. Pinch-hitter Andrea Roberts laid down a bunt single on the next play and Rachor scored to tie the game. Bailey O'Dell followed with a bunt single to score the go-ahead run and Hannah Cole delivered a single to left center, giving the Panthers a 3-1 cushion.

Lindsey Patterson's RBI-single quickly narrowed EIU's lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth, but the Panthers responded with three more runs in the sixth.

O'Dell pushed across two runs on a double to right center and Cole added an infield single to score Haylee Beck, widening EIU's lead to 6-2.

The Panthers tacked on another run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Rachor before Southeast made a late push.

Kayla Fortner started off Southeast's final at-bat with an infield single and scored on an ensuing double by Savannah Carpenter. Taylor McDannold's two-out single knocked in Carpenter, but that was as close as the Redhawks would get.

Jessica Wireman (10-11) went the distance, giving up four runs on 10 hits. Wireman struck out five and walked three, as well.

Madeline Krumrey (10-10) took the loss. Krumrey matched a season-high nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. She also allowed 11 hits, six runs and two walks.

Offensively, Carpenter went 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI, and Patterson finished at 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI to lead the Redhawks.

EIU, which had 13 hits, was led by Markowski, O'Dell, Cole and Rachor, who contributed two each.

Southeast honored seniors Patterson, Fortner, Alexis Anderson, Meaghan Touchette and Jamie Woodworth prior to the game. All five seniors were in the starting lineup.

The Redhawks return to action for a doubleheader at Arkansas on Apr. 29.