OXFORD, Ala. – Kaylee Anderson went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three runs and a career-high six RBI to lead top-seeded Southeast Missouri (29-15) to a commanding 11-2 win over fourth-seeded Jacksonville State (23-24) Thursday in the opening game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
 
Anderson got the Redhawks going early with a grand slam as part of an eight-run first inning. A total of 12 hitters came to the plate in that frame which saw SEMO get five hits, two home runs, a double and four walks.
 
"That was a huge inning for us," said SEMO Head Coach Mark Redburn. "We took advantage of our opportunities. We got some players on base and Kaylee did a great job. I was very pleased with how our offense started this game off."
 
Alyson Tucker led things off with a single to center and quickly moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. After Kynzie Wrigley and Katie Dreiling walked to load the bases, Anderson clobbered her first career grand slam over the center field wall. For Anderson, it was her 12th home run of the season.
 
Shortly after Ashley Ellis walked, Karsyn Davis ripped an opposite field home run to right field during her first OVC Tournament at-bat to give SEMO an 8-0 advantage. The home run marked Davis' second of the year.
 
The Redhawks tacked on another run when Jillian Anderson walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second. Anderson scored on the play to widen SEMO's lead to 9-1.
 
With two outs and a runner on in the third inning, Anderson stepped in and belted her second home run, this time to left center as the Redhawks pulled ahead, 11-1. 
 
OVC Pitcher of the Year Rachel Rook (19-8) set the tone by striking out the side in the first inning before her offense gave her a big lead. Rook allowed just two runs on three hits, struck out eight and walked two in five innings. It was her eighth game with eight or more strikeouts and 13th complete game of the season. Additionally, Rook picked up the second OVC Tournament win of her career.
 
"Today was like Rachel has pitched all year," said Redburn. "It was another great start for her and she did a tremendous job."
 
Anderson (2) and Davis (3) combined for five of SEMO's nine hits. Anderson posted the fourth multi-home run game of her career and second against JSU in a span of five days. Davis was 3-for-3 with a run scored, home run and two RBI. Her three hits marked a career-best.
 
SEMO beat JSU via the league's mercy rule for the first time in program history. The Redhawks collected their fourth-straight OVC Tournament win since their last appearance in 2019. All of those victories came in Oxford. 
 
The Redhawks have won eight of their last nine games and defeated the Gamecocks for the third time in four contests since May 8.
 
"I think we are playing with a lot of confidence right now," commented Redburn. "We want to be at the top of this conference and our players compete with that mindset. It was a great start and now we get to come out fresh tomorrow and try to take the same approach."
 
The Redhawks advance to face the winner of #2 Eastern Kentucky and #3 Austin Peay at 10 a.m., CT Friday.