OXFORD, Ala. – Southeast Missouri (11-4) used strong pitching and timely hitting to get by Loyola-Chicago (14-2), 2-0, Thursday afternoon in the opening day of the Leon Smith Classic.
 
Madeline Krumrey and Alexis Estes combined on a six-hit shutout, while Mykaela Arellanes and Rachel Anderson delivered RBI-hits in the heart of SEMO's order.
 
The Redhawks wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when Anderson hit her team-high fifth triple to knock in Arellanes with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.
 
After both teams left the bases loaded in the fourth, SEMO tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth when Arellanes doubled to center scoring Madison Harris all the way from first base.
 
Krumrey gave way to Estes with two runners on and one out in the top of the fifth. Estes issued a walk to the first hitter she faced before striking out pinch-hitter Kristin Lea to escape the bases loaded jam.
 
The Ramblers again had runners on base during their final at-bat in the seventh, but Estes struck out Katie Kasubke and threw out Alyssa Mannucci at first to end the contest.
 
SEMO defeated a good Loyola-Chicago team which began the year with a 14-game winning streak. The Redhawks became the second team to shutout the Ramblers this season after Alabama did the same two days ago.
 
Krumrey improved to 6-2 this season, while Estes earned her team-high second save.
 
Keenan Dolezal (7-1) suffered her first loss after giving up two runs on seven hits in five innings. She also struck three and walked two.
 
SEMO outhit Loyola-Chicago, 8-6, and went without an error for the second time in three games.
 
Harris went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Arellanes scored the Redhawks other run, and Anderson finished 2-for-3.
 
Addison Barnouski, Parker Bandy and Ashley Ellis each had one hit, as well.
 
Jordyn Cordell went 2-for-2 with a walk to lead the Ramblers.
 
SEMO, which has won eight of its last 10 games, returns to action when it faces Valparaiso Friday at 3:30 p.m., CT.