March 10, 2007

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State softball suffered a pair of losses today on the first day of the SEMO Spring Classic, held at the Southeast Softball Complex. The Redhawks (3-6) fell to Belmont (5-12) in their first game, 4-0, before dropping a close 3-2 decision to Bradley (9-3).

Both teams battled through five innings of scoreless softball before the Bruins captured the lead after producing all of their runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run single to left field by senior Kelly Major and an RBI single up the middle from fellow senior Erin Mullen.

Mullen finished the game with a 2-for-3 day at the plate to lead Belmont, while sophomore Sammi Parks (3-4) captured the win on the mound after allowing only three Redhawk hits and producing four strikeouts.

Junior Michelle Summers (Glendale, Calif./Hoover), junior Katie Otterness (Schaumburg, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and senior Stephanie Mata (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling HS) each recorded a hit for Southeast. Junior pitcher Elaine Fisher (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell North) dropped to 1-4 after allowing four runs on six hits, while posting five strikeouts.

In the second game, freshman Stacia Dopudja (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) put the Redhawks ahead by a 2-0 score in the first inning with a two-run double to the right center wall.

The Braves came back in the fourth to even the score at 2-2 with RBI singles from sophomore Katy Dammer and freshman Amanda Clack. Bradley later captured the lead in the fifth inning on a run-scoring single from junior Jessie Musgrove that plated senior Elizabeth Wilson, who reached base on a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

Southeast had an opportunity to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh after senior Lindsay Pickering (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles West HS) opened the inning with a single, while advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a groundout. After a walk on the next play, Pickering was tagged out at home plate after a wild pitch advanced Mata from first to second.

Pickering went 2-for-3 at the plate for Southeast, while Fisher (1-5) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits.

Wilson and freshman Lauren Meister each produced two hits to lead Bradley. Sophomore Ashley Birdsong (7-1) claimed the win for the Braves by tallying a game-high seven strikeouts

Southeast is back in action tomorrow afternoon at the SEMO Spring Classic against No. 18 Illinois State at 1:30 p.m. The Redhawks conclude the tournament against IUPUI with a start time of 5:30 p.m.