Southeast Missouri (26-14, 21-5 OVC) at Jacksonville State (22-21, 20-11 OVC)
Game Information
Dates: May 8-9, 2021
Schedule: Sat., 1 p.m. (DH); Sun., 1 p.m., CT
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Facility: University Field
Series History: JSU leads, 41-7
Last Meeting: SEMO 6, JSU 5 (May 11, 2019 | Oxford, Ala.)
Head Coaches: Mark Redburn (389-393 overall; 175-144 at SEMO; 83-60 OVC). Jana McGinnis (953-527 overall; 953-527 at JSU).
Follow the Redhawks
Video: ESPN+
Game 1 |
Game 2 |
Game 3
Live Stats: Game 1 |
Game 2 |
Game 3
Twitter: @SEMOsoftball
Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)
Final Regular-Season Series
Ohio Valley Conference leader Southeast Missouri (26-14, 21-5) travels to Jacksonville State (22-21, 20-11) for its final series of the regular-season this weekend. The Redhawks and Gamecocks play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday followed by a single game at 1 p.m., CT Sunday.
Title Implications
Southeast Missouri is in position to win the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title and claim the top seed in this year's OVC Tournament. SEMO will secure the title with a win over Jacksonville State and one Eastern Kentucky loss. EKU can finish first if it sweeps Austin Peay and SEMO loses its series to JSU. Or, if the Colonels win their series and the Redhawks are swept.
Follow the Redhawks
All three games of this weekend's series will air live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available at JSUGamecockSports.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOsoftball.
Series History
Saturday marks the 49th meeting between Southeast Missouri and Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series, 41-7. The Redhawks have won four of the last six meetings between these teams. SEMO beat the Gamecocks twice to win the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament the last time the teams faced each other on May 11, 2019 in Oxford, Alabama.
Hot Redhawks
Since the start of March, the Redhawks have gone 24-6. Southeast Missouri swept Tennessee Tech, Belmont, Morehead State, Murray State and UT Martin, and posted series wins against eight of the nine Ohio Valley Conference teams it has faced. The Redhawks won 12-straight conference games before their 5-1 loss to Eastern Illinois (Apr. 3). That OVC winning streak is the longest in the league this season. SEMO's 13-1 OVC start marked its best with Mark Redburn at the helm.
OVC Tournament Teams are Set
Southeast Missouri, Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay and Jacksonville State form the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament field. This year's OVC Softball Championship will be held May 12-15 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. It marks the 28th time the Championship will be held and the fifth year it will be held at a neutral site in Oxford. Seeding will be determined following this weekend's action.
Back in First Place
Southeast Missouri (21-5) moved back into first place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings after sweeping Murray State (May 1-2). The Redhawks pulled ahead of Eastern Kentucky (22-7), which dropped two of three games to Eastern Illinois. SEMO has just one series loss in OVC play and that came against the Colonels on Apr. 17-18.
Ellis Breaks Career Home Run Record
Ashley Ellis broke Southeast Missouri's all-time career home run record when she hit .500 with three home runs in the Redhawks series sweep of Murray State (May 1-2). Ellis officially broke the record when she hit a pair of home runs in the series finale on May 2. She also scored three runs and had four RBI as all but one of her hits came on the long ball. Ellis posted her fourth multi-home run game of the season and now has 51 career home runs, including a team-best 17 this year. She surpassed Michelle Summers (48, 2005-08) for the new program record. Ellis ranks 13th in the nation and second in the Ohio Valley Conference in home runs. She is also 10th nationally in home runs per game (.42).
Ellis Ties Own Single-Season Record
Ashley Ellis tied her own single-season record of 17 home runs when she hit a grand slam in the first inning of Southeast Missouri's 8-0 victory over UT Martin (May 5). Ellis initially broke her program's all-time single-season record with 17 homers in 2019. The grand slam was the second of Ellis' career.
Anderson Gets Another Record
Rachel Anderson broke her fifth different Southeast Missouri career record this season when she passed Sarah Messex (216, 2016-19) for the all-time mark in games started. Anderson has never missed a start in her 224 career games and established the new record against Eastern Kentucky on Apr. 17. She is the school's all-time career leader in triples (31), batting average (.412), slugging percentage (.701), on-base percentage (.503), hits (269), walks (106), total bases (458) and runs scored (171). Anderson also claimed SEMO's career records in hits, walks, total bases and runs scored in 2021.
Conference Wins Record in Sight
The Ohio Valley Conference leading Redhawks enter the weekend with a 21-5 record in league play. Southeast Missouri is two wins away from breaking its program record for most OVC victories in a season. SEMO's current record is 22 league wins in both 1995 (22-4) and 1996 (22-2).
Over 20 OVC Wins
With its sweep of UT Martin (May 5), Southeast Missouri picked up 20 or more Ohio Valley Conference victories in a season for the first time in 24 years. SEMO last won 20 conference games in 1997 (20-5). The Redhawks won 20 or more OVC games for the fourth time in program history -- 1995 (22-4), 1996 (22-2), 1997 (20-5), 2021 (21-5). SEMO's 21 league wins are the most in a season under Head Coach Mark Redburn.
About Jacksonville State
Since starting the season with a 5-16 record, Jacksonville State has won 17 of its last 22 games and heads into the weekend fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. The Gamecocks and Austin Peay each have a 20-11 league record. JSU is third in the OVC in earned run average (3.07) and second in opposing batting average (.230). Gamecock pitchers also lead the league with 278 strikeouts. Jada Terry leads JSU with a .356 batting average, 10 home runs and 37 RBI. Nicole Rodriguez ranks among the top four OVC leaders in ERA (2.15) and strikeouts (108).
RBI Leaders
Ashley Ellis and Rachel Anderson currently rank first and second on Southeast Missouri's all-time career RBI list. Ellis has 166 RBI and Anderson is close behind with 158. Ellis has a team-best 44 RBI and ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference in that category this season.
26 Wins
The Redhawks picked up their 26th win of the season when they swept UT Martin, 4-1, 8-0, in a doubleheader on May 5. Southeast Missouri (26-14) is one of two teams in the Ohio Valley Conference with 26 or more wins this season along with Eastern Kentucky (32-13).
Shut Them Out
Southeast Missouri has been involved in 14 shutouts this season and is 12-2 in those contests. SEMO blanked its opponent in eight of the last 19 games outscoring opponents by a combined 52-0 in those victories.
Holman Sparkles
Paytience Holman pitched her fourth shutout and fifth complete game of the season when she allowed just four hits and one walk in six innings against UT Martin (May 5). Holman recorded a season-high seven strikeouts en route to her seventh win of the season.
RPI Update
The Redhawks are ranked 53rd in NCAA Division I Softball RPI (through games May 2). Southeast Missouri has the highest RPI of any softball team in the Ohio Valley Conference. Eastern Kentucky (68) and Austin Peay (102) are the next closest OVC schools. The Redhawks have one win over a team ahead of them in the RPI rankings. SEMO beat Southern Illinois (50) on Mar. 31.
Seventh Shutout
Rachel Rook tossed her Ohio Valley Conference leading seventh shutout of the season vs. Murray State (May 1). Rook tossed a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in the series opener against the Racers. She currently ranks ninth among Southeast Missouri's all-time career leaders with 12 shutouts. Additionally, Rook rates 11th in the nation in shutouts this year.
Redhawks Sweep OVC Honors
Southeast Missouri swept the Ohio Valley Conference weekly awards for the second time this season on May 3. Ashley Ellis was named OVC Player of the Week, while Rachel Rook claimed the league's Pitcher of the Week honor. Ellis, who hails from Arnold, Missouri, homered three times and hit .500 in SEMO's series sweep of Murray State (May 1-2). Ellis hit a pair of home runs and broke her prorgram's all-time career home run record in the series finale against the Racers. She also scored three runs and had four RBI with all but one of her hits coming on the long ball. Ellis posted her fourth multi-home run game of the season and now has 50 career home runs, including a team-high 16 this year. A native of Republic, Missouri, Rook went 2-0 with two complete games, a shutout and a save in against Murray State. She tossed a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts to open the series. Rook then picked up a two-out save in game two before striking out nine more in seven innings during the finale. For the series, she allowed only two runs, scattered eight hits, struck out 20 and walked only one in 14.2 innings. Rook boasted a 0.95 ERA and limited the Racers to a .157 batting average over her three appearances and two starts. Ellis and Rook also swept OVC Player and Pitcher of the Week honors on Mar. 29. Additionally, Ellis has won OVC Player of the Week and Rook was named OVC Pitcher of the Week three times this year.
League Play
Southeast Missouri leads the league in batting average (.330), ERA (1.75) and fielding percentage (.965) in Ohio Valley Conference games this season. Ashley Ellis is first with 15 home runs and a 1.013 slugging percentage through 26 conference games. Rachel Rook paves the way with 118 strikeouts (8.5 per game) and six shutouts. Jillian Anderson is tied for second in doubles (10) and Rook tops the conference with a .170 opposing batting average and 13 wins in league games.
All 40 Games
Three players, including Rachel Anderson, Ashley Ellis and Kaylee Anderson have started all 40 games this season. R. Anderson is second on the team in batting average (.368) and leads the Redhawks in hits (43), runs (28) and on-base percentage (.479). Ellis tops the team with 17 home runs, 44 RBI and a .796 slugging percentage. K. Anderson is second on the team in runs scored (25) and home runs (9).
Over .300
Four of Southeast Missouri's starters are hitting over .300 this season and two of them are freshmen. Katie Dreiling (.372) leads the Redhawks, while fellow rookie Kynzie Wrigley (.364) is third. Senior Rachel Anderson (.368) is second on the team and senior Ashley Ellis (.319) is fifth.
Home Run Power
Ashley Ellis homered 12 times in her last 18 games. Ellis hit two home runs vs. Morehead State (Mar. 27), Eastern Illinois (Apr. 2) and Murray State (May 2) during that stretch. Seventeen of her 36 hits this season have come on the long ball.
First to 100 Strikeouts
Rachel Rook became the first pitcher in the Ohio Valley Conference to get to 100 strikeouts this season. Rook leads the league and ranks 32nd in the nation with 170 strikeouts. She is one of five OVC pitchers with over 100 Ks this year.
Putting Up the Runs
Southeast Missouri has scored 149 runs for an average of 5.7 per game in 26 Ohio Valley Conference contests this season. The Redhawks 149 runs in league games lead the league. SEMO is outscoring its opponents by a +95 (149-54) margin. SEMO also hit 33 home runs during that span which rank second in OVC games.
Rook Clears 300 Strikeouts
Rachel Rook went over 300 against Eastern Illinois (Apr. 2). Rook now has 374 career strikeouts, including 170 this season. She ranks fourth all-time among SEMO's career strikeout leaders.
Rook Wins
Rachel Rook picked up her 17th win of the season when she beat UT Martin on May 5. Rook, who holds a record of 17-8, leads the Ohio Valley Conference in wins. She has also thrown 11 complete games and seven shutouts this season. Rook is 13-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play and ranks 11th in the nation in shutouts. Her 17 wins in 2021 are the most in a season during Rook's career.
Ellis Passes 200 Career Starts
Ashley Ellis recently joined Rachel Anderson with over 200 career starts in a Redhawk uniform. Ellis has 221 starts to date. She carries a streak of 204 consecutive starts into this weekend's series at Tennessee State. Ellis is second all-time in career starts at Southeast Missouri.
Davis Saves the Day
Left-hander Marisa Davis is second in the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 24th in the nation in saves. Davis has three saves this year. Prior to 2021, she had no saves in 20 relief appearances during her first two seasons as a Redhawk.
Home Run Fun
Southeast Missouri hit a home run in 12 of its last 20 contests. The Redhawks had multiple home runs a total of 15 times this year. Nine different players have homered for SEMO this season. The Redhawks are second in the Ohio Valley Conference with 42 home runs through 40 games. They are one of three OVC teams with 40 or more home runs this season. Eastern Illinois (52) and Eastern Kentucky (40) are the others.
Celebrating 200 Starts
Rachel Anderson's 200th career start in center field came on Mar. 13, the day Southeast Missouri completed its sweep of Tennessee Tech. Anderson, who has never missed a start in her career, has a total of 224. She became the sixth player in program history to start over 200 career games. Anderson is the school's all-time career leaders in games started.
10 or More Hits
Southeast Missouri pounded out 10 or more hits a total of 14 times this season and is 11-3 in those contests. The Redhawks finished with a season-high 15 hits at SIU Edwardsville (Apr. 10).
