HAMMOND, La. – Rachel Rook tossed a one-hitter and matched a career-high 15 strikeouts to lead Southeast Missouri (3-2) to a 5-2 win over Nicholls State (1-3) Sunday morning at the Lion Classic.
 
SEMO wrapped up its season-opening tournament with three victories in five contests.
 
Rook set the tone again early retiring 15 of the first hitters she faced. She sat the Colonels down in order in each of the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings. Rook also held NSU hitless for 6.2 frames.
 
Offensively, SEMO loaded the bases during each of its first two at-bats of the game.
 
After coming away empty in the first, Kynzie Wrigley singled, stole second, went to third on an infield hit by Jillian Anderson and scored the game's first run when Paige Halliwill grounded out. 
 
On the next play in bottom of the second inning, Tatum Gerwitz scored on a wild pitch. Kaylee Anderson then walked and moved into scoring position on a stolen base. Kat Sackett followed with a two-RBI single and Aubrie Shore doubled home a run to put the Redhawks ahead, 5-0.
 
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Kennedy Hebert reached on an error and scored on an ensuing two-run home run by Alexa Poche. Both of those runs were unearned for the Colonels.
 
Rook (2-1) went the distance allowing only one hit and walking one in her second complete game of the young season. For the tournament, she recorded 28 strikeouts in 16 innings, walked, allowed just 10 hits, threw one shutout and a pair of complete game victories.
 
Hebert (0-1) suffered the loss. She allowed five runs on five hits, struck out one and walked four in just 1.2 innings.
 
SEMO outhit NSU, 7-1. Shore paved the way going 2-for-2 with a double, run scored and one RBI. Sackett added two RBI.
 
The Redhawks return to action at the Western Kentucky Tournament on Feb. 18-20.