CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –
Rachel Rook threw a one-hit complete game shutout, picked up a save and struck out 11, and
Kimmy Wallen delivered a walk off single to lead Southeast Missouri (23-14, 18-5) to a 1-0, 7-5, doubleheader sweep of Murray State (19-28, 16-14) Saturday.
In game one, Wallen recorded her first career walk off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning to give SEMO its close one-run victory.
SEMO did not have a runner in scoring position until
Kaylee Anderson walked and went to third on a two-out single by
Ashley Ellis in the seventh. With runners at second and third after Ellis advanced on the throw, Wallen pinch-hit for
Kynzie Wrigley. Wallen's infield hit went off the glove of pitcher Hannah James and Anderson scored the winning run.
The Ohio Valley Conference's top two strikeout leaders in James and
Rachel Rook went head-to-head in an outstanding pitcher's duel.
Rook (15-8), who pitched her seventh shutout of the season, allowed only one hit and struck out nine in seven innings. She retired the first 10 hitters she faced. Rook recorded six of her strikeouts in the first three frames.
Jensen Striegel got the lone hit off Rook, an infield single with one out in the fourth inning. Only two Racers reached base against Rook for the game.
James (7-10) suffered the loss. James struck out eight and walked just one.
Both Rook (92) and James (89) also threw under 100 pitches in their complete game.
Trailing 4-3 in the nightcap, SEMO used a four-run fourth inning to bury the Racers.
Rachel Anderson's three-run home run to right field keyed the surge that put SEMO ahead, 7-4. Wallen also singled and scored in the decisive inning.
Prior to that,
Ashley Ellis tied the program's all-tie career home run record with her two-run shot to straightaway center in the bottom of the third. The home run marked Ellis' team-high 14th of the season and 48th of her career as she now shares the record with Michelle Summers (2005-08).
SEMO added nine hits in game two with
Kaylee Anderson,
Kynzie Wrigley and
Austine Pauley paving the way with two apiece.
Maris Davis (2-0) was credited with the win in relief. Davis struck out two and allowed just one hit in 2.2 innings.
Rook came on to get the final two outs of the contest, both of which were strikeouts.
Jenna Veber (7-13) took the loss. Veber gave up four runs on six hits and struck out one in three innings.
SEMO and MSU conclude their series Sunday. Start time has been moved to 12 p.m., CT.
