OMAHA, Neb. – Southeast Missouri (9-9) hit five home runs in a doubleheader split with Creighton (10-7) Saturday. The Redhawks won game one, 7-4, and dropped the nightcap, 7-5.
Abby Tillotson hit her first career grand slam as part of a five-run third inning.
Parker Bandy walked and went to second on a wild pitch.
Riley Hayes walked and Bandy advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Claire Wernig pinch ran for Hayes and stole second before
Mykaela Arellanes walked to load the bases. Bandy scored the first run of the game on a one-out walk by
Rachel Anderson. Tillotson greeted relief pitcher Bryana Clark with a home run to center extending the Redhawks lead to 5-0.
SEMO added to its lead an inning later when Anderson knocked in both Arellanes and Bandy on a two-out infield single. Those runs, both unearned, pushed the Redhawks lead to 7-0.
After getting on the board with one run in the bottom of the fourth, CU pulled to within three when Hope Moreno hit a three-run home run to make it 7-4 with two outs in the fifth.
Madeline Krumrey entered the game with no outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh and recorded three-straight outs to earn her first save of the season.
Haley Thogmartin (2-3) was credited with the win. Thogmartin struck out four and walked none in five innings. She allowed one run on nine hits.
SEMO had four hits.
Tillotson,
Sarah Messex, Bandy and Hayes all hit solo home runs in game two, but it wasn't enough to beat the Bluejays.
The Redhawks trailed, 7-3, entering the seventh inning and cut CU's lead to two when Messex hit a leadoff home run and Bandy scored on a fielder's choice. SEMO had the go-ahead run at the plate, but came up short.
SEMO had nine hits in a strong all-around offensive effort. Arellanes and Bandy led the Redhawks with two each.
Krumrey (4-3) was charged with the loss. She collected four strikeouts, issued two walks and gave up seven runs on eight hits in four innings of work.
SEMO hosts Indiana State in its home-opener on Mar. 13. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for Noon, CT, at the Southeast Softball Complex.
