CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –
Alyson Tucker went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, a walk-off grand slam, one stolen base and nine RBI to lead Southeast Missouri (14-8, 7-1) to a 11-0, 5-4, doubleheader sweep of Southern Indiana (10-14, 4-4) Sunday.
SEMO swept its second Ohio Valley Conference series of the season and ran its winning streak to 23-straight at the Southeast Softball Complex.
The Redhawks were ahead, 7-0, when they had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning of game one. Tucker stepped in and slugged her first career grand slam way over the left field wall to end the shortened five-inning affair.
Tucker finished at a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and seven RBI in SEMO's game one win alone.
SEMO then trailed, 4-2, in the bottom of the seventh inning of the nightcap before Tucker ripped a game-tying two-RBI single with two outs.
Sydney Dennis and
Jillian Anderson scored on the play.
Abigail Rickermann followed with a game-winning infield single to short and pinch-runner
Brittany Affolter scored the decisive run on a close play at the plate to finish off the doubleheader sweep.
Along with Tucker's clutch performance at the plate,
Marisa Davis pitched another gem inside the circle to help key SEMO's game one blowout.
Davis tossed her first shutout of the season going the distance and allowing only two hits with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.
While Davis was picking apart USI's hitters, the Redhawk offense provided her plenty of run support.
SEMO again started strong getting a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Paige Halliwill walked and stole second before scoring the game's first run on a single by Tucker. Tucker later stole home on the front end of a double steal.
The Redhawks tacked on two more runs when Tucker knocked in both Halliwill and Anderson in the second.
SEMO continued to pour it on with Rickermann bringing home
Kynzie Wrigley and Anderson delivering a two-RBI single to score both Rickermann and
Zoe Schulte making it 7-0 an inning later.
In game two, the Redhawks fell behind, 2-0, after USI scored once in the first and second innings.
Dennis hit a hard triple off converging Screaming Eagles right fielder Olivia Howard's glove and quickly scored on a wild pitch to get SEMO within a run.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Aubrie Shore blasted a game-tying home run off the batter's eye in straightaway center to knot things up at 2-2 prior to the Redhawks dramatic finish in the seventh.
Davis, now 6-1 this season, was credited with both wins. She relieved starter
Delaney Kell and recorded the last two outs in the top of the seventh inning.
Kell worked 6.1 innings with eight hits and two runs allowed. She had two strikeouts, as well in her no decision.
Behind Tucker,
Zoe Schulte and Halliwill posted three hits apiece. Anderson, Rickermann, Dennis and Sackett also finished with multiple hits in the twin bill. Anderson and Halliwill each scored three runs accounting for six of the Redhawks 16 runs for the day. Additionally, Tucker's seven RBI in game one marked a new career-high.
SEMO's 11 runs in game one are a season-high.
The Redhawks, who have won four in a row, head to longtime rival Southern Illinois for a midweek contest on Mar. 28.