CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Ashley Ellis broke Southeast Missouri's all-time career home run record when she hit a pair of long balls to lead the Redhawks to a 3-2 win over Murray State Sunday.
 
SEMO (24-14, 19-5) completed its fourth series sweep and seventh series win in Ohio Valley Conference play this season.
 
MSU (19-29, 16-15) took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Sierra Gilmore hit a two-out double to left and scored the game's first run on an ensuing base hit by Logan Braundmeier.
 
Ellis quickly tied the game when she led off the second inning with her record-breaking home run to center. Ellis surpassed SEMO's previous mark of 48 by Michelle Summers (2005-08). 
 
Austine Pauley followed with a double to left center, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chelsy Pena and scored on a two-out double by Kynzie Wrigley to give the Redhawks a 2-1 edge.
 
After the Racers scored to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning, Ellis drove a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall to secure the Redhawks second one-run victory of the series.
 
Ellis went 2-for-3 in her third multi-home run game of the season. She now has 50 home runs in her career, including a team-high 16 in 2021. The multi-home run game was also the eighth of Ellis' career.
 
Pauley joined Ellis with two hits as the Redhawks edged the Racers, 7-6, in the hit column.
 
Rachel Rook (16-8) was again magnificent in the circle striking out nine and walking none in seven innings, her 11th complete game of the season. Rook allowed two runs on six hits, as well. For the series, she went 2-0 with a pair of complete game wins, a shutout, one save and 20 strikeouts.
 
Hannah James (7-11) suffered the loss. James gave up three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out eight in 5.1 innings.
 
SEMO ended the year with a 13-4 record at home.
 
The Redhawks return to action when they head to UT Martin for a midweek doubleheader on May 4.