LAWRENCE, Kan.– Ashley Ellis went 5-for-7 with three runs scored, two home runs, a double and three RBI, and Rachel Rook tossed a complete game shutout as Southeast Missouri (14-7) posted two wins at the Jayhawk Classic Friday. The Redhawks beat UMKC, 8-2, and tournament host Kansas, 2-0.

"It was a great day and start to the tournament," said SEMO head coach Mark Redburn. "Our success came because of the outstanding pitching in both games, followed by great defense and timely hitting. Our hitters adjusted well in each game and we hit hard balls although some did not fall in for hits."
 
Ellis started her big day by collecting three hits and both of her home runs against UMKC.
 
Ellis, which recorded the second multi-home run game of her career and first since Feb. 25, 2018 (vs. Western Michigan), homered in consecutive at-bats.
 
SEMO and UMKC were scoreless after three innings until Ellis led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field. Chelsy Pena and Rachael Donald walked with one out and Parker Bandy smacked a double to score Pena. Mykaela Arellanes later walked with the bases loaded and Danina Marton scored to put the Redhawks ahead, 3-0.
 
Ellis began the fifth just as she did the fourth with another solo home run to left field. Bandy added her second RBI-hit and Pena touched home on a wild pitch to stretch SEMO's lead to 6-1.
 
A third wild pitch by UMKC allowed Rachel Anderson to score and Pena knocked in Leaha Wininger on a bunt single to polish off the Redhawks victory.
 
Haley Thogmartin (7-3) picked up her team and Ohio Valley Conference high seventh win of the season. Thogmartin gave SEMO five strong innings where she struck out six, walked none and allowed one run on just three hits. She retired the first nine hitters she faced.
 
DJ Cannon (6-3) suffered the loss. Cannon gave up three runs on seven hits, walked four and struck out three in 5.2 innings. 
 
Ellis' three hits matched a career-high as she was one of two Redhawks with multiple hits. Arellanes also tied a career-high going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Anderson established a new career-high with three stolen bases, as well.
 
As a team, SEMO outhit UMKC, 9-4. All of the Kangaroos hits were singles.
 
SEMO and KU were scoreless through four innings before Ellis came up big again, this time with a double. Anderson, who singled in the previous at-bat, scored the game's first run all the way from first base when Ellis' double landed in the right center gap.
 
Ellis came up once more in the top of the seventh and drew a one-out walk. On the next play, Addison Barnouski ripped a double to left and Ellis scored to push SEMO's lead to 2-0.

"That was a big hit and insurance RBI from Addie and it gave us some breathing room in the seventh," said Redburn.
 
Rook then sat the Jayhawks down in order to finish off the first complete game shutout of her career.
 
Rook, who improved to 3-2 this season, beat a Power Five school for the second time this season. She gave up just four hits, struck out two and walked none in a sparkling seven innings.
 
Anderson and Ellis each finished at 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in the heart of SEMO's order. Barnouski, Kaylee Anderson, Rachael Donald and Kaylee Anderson followed with one hit apiece.
 
Ellis already has eight home runs through 21 games this season. She is halfway to SEMO's single-season home run record of 16 currently held by Kayla Fortner (2015).
 
SEMO, which has won seven of its last nine contests, beat a Power Five conference school for the second time this year. The Redhawks also knocked off then-#12 Arkansas on Feb. 22.
 
The Redhawks resume play at the Jayhawk Classic vs. UMKC and Kansas Saturday.