CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Southeast Missouri (1-1) opened its 2018 season by splitting two games at the Northern Iowa Dome Classic Friday. The Redhawks beat South Dakota State (1-1), 4-1, and lost to host Northern Iowa (1-0), 7-0.
A two-run home run by
Sarah Messex capped a three-run sixth inning as SEMO came from behind to win its opener.
A pinch-hit double to left by
Abby Tillotson and walk by
Ashley Ellis gave the Redhawks runners at first and second with no outs in its decisive sixth.
After
Addison Barnouski popped up and pinch-hitter
Kaylee Anderson flied out to center, SEMO executed a double steal to get their first lead of the season. Pinch-runner
Madison Harris stole third and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by catcher Mallory McQuistan.
Messex then stepped in and smashed Taylor Compton's 3-2 offering for the fourth home run of her career stretching the Redhawks lead to 4-1.
SEMO fell behind early in the top of the first. A one-out single by Julia Andersen, a wild pitch and three walks helped SDSU grab a 1-0 edge. McQuistan's walk scored Andersen with the bases loaded for the game's first run.
The Redhawks later tied things up in the bottom of the fifth.
Brooke Rheinecker reached on a one-out bunt single out of the nine-hole and advanced to third on an ensuing single by
Mykaela Arellanes.
Parker Bandy flied out deep enough to center field on the next play and Rheinecker touched home to knot the score at 1-1.
Madeline Krumrey (1-0) picked up the win. Krumrey struck out three, walked four and allowed five hits in six innings.
Freshman
Rachel Rook retired the Jackrabbits in order in the seventh to earn her first career save.
Compton (0-1) suffered the loss.
Messex and Arellanes each went 2-for-3 to lead SEMO which finished with seven hits.
SDSU went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and 1-for-12 with runners on base.
The Redhawks face tournament host Northern Iowa next.
Jaclyn Spencer threw a complete game shutout to lead UNI to its first victory of the season. Spencer struck out four and allowed five hits in her strong performance.
The Panthers held a 2-0 lead before blowing the game open with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Four of UNI's runs in the inning were unearned following a two-out error.
Rachel Anderson went 3-for-3 to pace the Redhawks, while Bandy and Tillotson also added a hit at the top of SEMO's lineup.
Haley Thogmartin (0-1) took the loss after scattering five hits and giving up two runs in four innings. Thogmartin struck out three as well.
SEMO resumes action against UMKC (8 a.m.) and UNI (12:30 p.m.) Saturday.
