CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Rachel Rook recorded 10 strikeouts to lead Southeast Missouri (15-13, 4-3) to a 4-0 series-opening win over Morehead State (2-23, 1-8) Saturday afternoon at the Southeast Softball Complex.
 
Rook and Paytience Holman combined to hold MSU scoreless on only two hits. It marked SEMO's fourth shutout this season.
 
A native of Republic, Missouri, Rook again dominated striking out eight of the first nine hitters she faced. She struck out seven in a row until the final out in the top of the third.
 
While Rook was carving up the Eagles, the Redhawk offense worked quickly to get her a lead.
 
Abigail Rickermann led off with an infield single and went to second on an error. Kaylee Anderson followed with a base hit and Rickermann scored. Anderson later touched home on a ground ball out to put SEMO ahead, 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Paige Halliwill doubled and scored on second hit by Anderson in the third inning.
 
The Redhawks tacked on one more run when Halliwill doubled again and scored in the fifth.
 
Rook improved to 9-6. She pitched the first five innings and posted her fifth 10-strikeout performance this year.
 
Holman tossed two innings with one strikeout.
 
Lennon Spicer (2-11) suffered the loss. Spicer struck out one and allowed four runs on six hits in six innings.
 
SEMO finished with six hits. Anderson and Halliwill each had two to lead the way. Halliwill went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored, while Anderson finished at 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.
 
The Redhawks celebrated their 15th win of the season in front of many softball greats who returned to campus for Alumni Day.
 
SEMO and MSU close out their series with a 12 p.m., CT doubleheader Sunday.