CAPE GIRARDEA, Mo. –
Ashley Ellis went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, three home runs and seven RBI to lead Southeast Missouri (14-10, 11-1) to a pair of five-inning 10-0, 9-1, victories over Morehead State (6-17, 0-14) Saturday at the Southeast Softball Complex.
SEMO polished off its third-straight series sweep with three five-inning wins over the Eagles. The Redhawks also ran their Ohio Valley Conference winning streak to a league-best 10 games this season.
The Redhawks erupted for seven runs in the first inning of game one. SEMO sent 12 hitters to the plate with Ellis and
Karsyn Davis delivering back-to-back home runs to help key the surge. SEMO tallied seven hits in the early onslaught. For Davis, the round-tripper was the first of her career.
Ellis hit a two-run shot in her second-straight at-bat in the second to increase its lead to 9-0 before
Katie Dreiling added a run-scoring single to complete the 10-0 game one shutout.
Paytience Holman (4-5) tossed a one-hitter with four strikeouts in five scoreless innings. Holman did not allow a walk, as well.
SEMO pounded out 12 hits with Dreiling,
Kaylee Anderson, Ellis and Davis getting two apiece. Ellis' five RBI matched her career-high and the multiple-home run game was the sixth of her career.
Ahead 5-1 in the nightcap, the Redhawks used back-to-back home runs by
Rachel Anderson and Dreiling to nail down its third win over the Eagles.
Kynzie Wrigley singled and
Jillian Anderson walked before R. Anderson smacked a home run to left. On the next play, Dreiling belted her third home run of the season to give SEMO a walk off win.
Rachel Rook (9-5) worked six innings and struck out five along the way. Rook gave up one run on three hits and walked one.
R. Anderson, Wrigley and Ellis led the Redhawks with two hits each. Anderson also finished with a career-high five RBI and tied SEMO's all-time career record in runs scored. She is in a tie for first with Michelle Summers (161, 2005-08) at the top of that list.
SEMO hit six home runs for the day.
Meanwhile, Ellis' four home runs in the series put her at 43 in her career. Nine of Ellis' 16 hits this season came on the long ball. She is six home runs away from breaking SEMO's all-time career record of 48 held by Summers (2005-08).
SEMO is on a 10-game winning streak in OVC play for the first time in 12 years.
The Redhawks return to action when they host longtime rival Southern Illinois on Mar. 31. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., CT.
