CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Eastern Kentucky (27-11, 18-5) used a three-run sixth inning and a strong pitching performance from Mollie Paulick to beat Southeast Missouri (21-14, 16-5), 4-1, Sunday.
 
With the win, EKU claimed the series win and moved into first in the Ohio Valley Conference standings.
 
SEMO tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Alyson Tucker doubled to right center and scored on a single by Rachel Anderson.
 
The Colonels pulled away for good in the top of the sixth. 
 
EKU strung together four-straight hits to start the inning. Sammi Miller singled and went to second on a base hit to right center by Zoe Mihalicz. On the next play, Carly Robinson doubled and Miller scored. Paulick then ripped a single down the line that hit first base allowing both Mihalicz and Robinson to score giving EKU a 4-1 advantage.
 
Paulick later retired five of the last seven hitters she faced and pitched a one-two-three seventh inning to close out the win.
 
Paulick (8-0) allowed just one run and three hits in six innings. She also struck out three and walked four.
 
Rachel Rook (14-8) took the loss. Rook struck out eight and walked one, while giving up four runs and five hits in five innings. She gave way to reliever Marisa Davis in the sixth inning.
 
SEMO finished with five hits. The Redhawks also stranded nine baserunners.
 
J. Anderson, R. Anderson, Kaylee Anderson, Kelby Robinson and Tucker each had one hit. For Robinson, the hit was the first of her career.
 
Miller went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Mihalicz followed with two hits and a home run to lead EKU.
 
SEMO returns to action when it travels to Tennessee State for a three-game series on Apr. 24-25.