HAMMOND, La. – Southeast Missouri (3-2) dropped a pair of games during the first day of the Lion Classic II Friday. The Redhawks lost to Middle Tennessee (5-1), 8-4, and UT Arlington (2-4), 5-1.
 
SEMO let a three-run lead get away in its loss to MTSU.
 
The Redhawks plated three runs on four hits, including a two-RBI single by Addison Barnouski to take a 3-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.
 
After scoring twice in the bottom of the second, MTSU tied things up at 3-3 with a solo home run by cleanup hitter Austyn Whaley in the third.
 
The Blue Raiders then pushed across five runs in a big sixth inning that proved to be the difference.
 
With two runners on, Keely McGee launched a three-run home run out of the bottom of MTSU's lineup. Whaley later delivered a two-out two-RBI single through the left side to put the Blue Raiders ahead, 8-3.
 
Freshman Rachel Anderson, this week's Ohio Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week, led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to right field. The round-tripper marked Anderson's team-high second of the season.
 
Cori Jennings (3-1) went the distance en route to her third win for MTSU. Jennings struck out two and gave up four runs on nine hits in seven innings. She did not allow a walk, as well.
 
Barnouski (0-1) suffered the loss in relief. She replaced starter Alexis Estes and allowed four runs on four hits in 1.2 innings.
 
SEMO outhit MTSU, 9-8, with Anderson and Barnouski each going 2-for-4. Anderson also scored two of the Redhawks runs, while Barnouski added two RBIs.
 
Whaley went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBIs to lead the Blue Raiders.
 
MTSU handed SEMO its first loss of the young season.

In game two, Sarah Messex drove in Riley Hayes on a single to center to give the Redhawks a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

SEMO carried its one-run lead into the bottom of the sixth where UTA put up five runs to pull off its win.

Reagan Wright and Mallory Foster each contributed two-RBI hits to spur the late rally.

Sam Clakley allowed just one run on five hits and struck out four in her complete game performance.

Madeline Krumrey (1-1) took her first loss of the season. Krumrey worked five innings, giving up three runs, six hits and striking out two.

Messex went 2-for-3 to lead SEMO.

Krista Rude finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and Foster followed with two hits to pace UTA.

SEMO resumes action against host Southeastern Louisiana Saturday.