SEMO softball picks up series win over TSU

SEMO catcher Marissa Peek celebrates after crossing home plate during the Redhawks’ 4-3 win over Tennessee State on Sunday, March 24, at the Southeast Softball Complex.

Clay Herrell ~ cherrell@semoball.com

Entering Sunday, the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks had split the first two games of the series against the Tennessee State Tigers.

The Redhawks claimed the series win by way of a 4-3 win over Tennessee State on Sunday.

“After yesterday we talked about bouncing back today,” Redhawks coach Mark Redburn said. “We came out today and put some runs up early.”

Southeast opened the scoring in the home half of the first with a sacrifice fly from Aubrie Shore to put the Redhawks ahead 1-0.

The pace of one run an inning continued into the second inning as Kynzie Wrigley led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to extend the Redhawks’ lead to 2-0.

“She’s typically a middle to opposite field (hitter),” Redburn said. “But, I felt like she got a middle, pull swing off which we’ve been trying to get her to do.”

A throwing error by catcher Marissa Peek allowed Tennessee State to get on the board and cut into the Redhawks’ lead to make it 2-1.

Peek, looking to bounce back from the error, blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the third to restore the two-run Southeast lead.

Another error in the top of the fourth allowed the Tigers to scratch across another run to make it 3-2.

“We’ve just been doing some things throughout this entire year with players and positions and I know we want routine but we just haven’t been able to find a routine,” Redburn said. “You’re going to have miscues because of that lack of consistency, but I think we’re getting there.”

Like they had done all day, the Redhawks once again had an answer to the Tigers’ run as Paige Halliwill slapped a single to right-field to make it 4-2.

“I think they took it to heart with what we talked about yesterday with (TSU’s) pitcher,” Redburn said. “They had the perfect opportunity to redeem themselves and I think that’s what motivated them”.

TSU managed to push another run across in the fifth to make it 4-3, the eventual final.

Paytience Holman got the start on Sunday for the Redhawks and she tossed a complete game, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out six Tigers.

“She’s a battler,” Redburn said. “She wants the ball. I thought the big difference today was when we tried to attack their hitters in, she was able to get it inside.”

Holman said she relishes the opportunity to pitch in tight games like the one on Sunday.

“It’s so much fun,” Holman said. “In the moment it’s a little nerve wracking but at the end of it it’s a big relief because we won the series and we really needed it.”

With the win, the Redhawks took 2-of-3 from TSU after dropping the series opener 4-3 on Saturday.

In game two of the doubleheader on Saturday, the Redhawks’ offense exploded for an 11-2 win to even the series up heading into Sunday.

In the 11-2 win on Saturday, Peek led the way offensively as she finished 2-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBI.

Holman also got the start in Saturday’s finale as she went the distance, tossing five innings allowing one earned run while striking out three.

SEMO (11-18, 6-3 OVC) returns to action at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, March 29, when the Redhawks travel to take on Southern Indiana.

“We’re going to face a really good USI team,” Redburn said. “They’re a good program and they’re well-coached so once again it’s going to be a challenge.”