CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Kat Sackett went 2-for-3 with a run scored, home run and two RBI, while Alyson Tucker and Marissa Peek each added two hits to lead Southeast Missouri (12-8, 5-1) to an 8-5 series-opening win over Southern Indiana (10-12, 4-2) Saturday.
 
SEMO claimed its 21st consecutive home victory in a game it never trailed.
 
The Redhawks wasted no time getting the lead when Brittany Affolter and Tucker each doubled in the first two spots of their lineup. After Tucker knocked in Affolter for the game's first run, Paige Halliwill later delivered a two-out single to score Tucker. Sackett's first hit of the contest, a single to center, scored Halliwill to put SEMO ahead, 3-0, in the bottom of the first.
 
With Jillian Anderson in scoring position after she singled and stole second in the second inning, Tucker ripped a RBI-single to left to push the Redhawks margin to 4-0.
 
After USI catcher Sammie Kihega dropped a foul ball, Marissa Peek got a longer at-bat and made the Screaming Eagles pay for the mishap when she smacked a home run over the center field wall. Two hitters later, Sackett blasted a solo home run to make it a 6-0 ballgame. For both Peek and Sackett, it was their second homer of the season.
 
SEMO scored once more in each of the fifth and sixth innings and led, 8-1, entering the seventh inning when the Screaming Eagles made things interesting.
 
Hailey Gotshall and Allie Goodin each hit two-run home runs before reliever Paytience Holman got Keihega to fly out to end the game.
 
Delaney Kell (7-2) secured her team-high seventh win after allowing just one run on four hits in five innings. Kell struck out four and walked one, as well.
 
Josie Newman (8-5) suffered the loss. Newman was roughed up for six runs on eight hits in just 2.1 innings. Newman also struck out three.
 
SEMO edged USI, 9-8, in the hit column en route to its fifth OVC win.
 
The Redhawks and Screaming Eagles wrap up their series with a 12 p.m., CT doubleheader Sunday.