CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Sydney Dennis went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and Delaney Kell pitched a complete game with six shutout innings leading Southeast Missouri (22-14, 15-6) to a 4-1 series-opening win over Southern Indiana (13-22, 10-10) Saturday.
 
SEMO took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning. 
 
Dennis and Madison Winkler both walked before Sydney Melton loaded the bases with the help of a one-out error. Dennis scored the game's first run on a fielder's choice.
 
The Redhawks added to their lead during their at-bat in the second.
 
With two outs, SEMO used a walk and four-straight hits to get three more runs. Tatum Gerwitz reached on a walk to ignite the two-out rally. Dennis and Winkler followed with a single and Gerwitz scored on Winkler's hit. Brooklyn Saysoff doubled to left field bringing in both Dennis and Winkler to push the Redhawks lead to 4-0.
 
USI scored its only run in the top of the sixth inning.
 
Kennedy Nalley led off with a double to left, advanced to third on a wild pitch and touched home on a sacrifice fly by Whitley Hunter.
 
Kell (8-3) threw her team-high fifth complete game of the season. She allowed just one run on four hits and struck out two in seven innings. Kell retired the Screaming Eagles in order in each of the second, third, fifth and seventh frames. She also pitched out of a one-out bases loaded jam in the fourth.
 
Josie Newman (8-14) suffered the loss. Newman worked six innings allowing four runs on seven hits. She walked three and struck out four, as well.
 
Dennis and Gerwitz had two hits apiece to lead SEMO. Winkler added a hit, one run scored and a walk extending her hitting streak to eight games.
 
SEMO and USI wrap up their series with a 12 p.m., CT doubleheader Sunday.