SEMO softball sweeps final home series

SEMO's Paytience Holman delivers a pitch during the Redhawks' 8-1 win over Western Illinois on Saturday, April 27, at the Southeast Softball Complex.

Clay Herrell ~ cherrell@semoball.com

Explosive offense and lights-out pitching led the SEMO Redhawks to a three-game sweep of Western Illinois this weekend at the Southeast Softball Complex.

In game one, the Redhawks defeated the Leathernecks 6-0 behind a complete game shutout from Paytience Holman.

Offensively, Kat Sackett and Paige Halliwill drove in two runs in each in the game-one win.

“I think we were just getting off better swings,” Redhawks coach Mark Redburn said. “In order to get off better swings you have to have better plans at the plate and you have to shrink the strike zone. I think we’re finding it.”

After taking the first game of the Friday doubleheader, the Redhawks didn’t settle as they rolled to a 9-1 win in game two.

Once again, the pitching dominated Tegan Livesay tossed 4.1 innings allowing just one run while scattering six hits.

“Defensively, we’re playing well,” Redburn said. “If we make a mistake we don’t let it compound and pitching has been around the plate so it’s been great.”

The offense in game two was led by Paige Halliwill who finished 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and three runs scored in the win.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the weekend was the fact it was senior weekend as the Redhawks honored their seven seniors in Paige Halliwill, Paytience Holman, Marissa Peek, Abigail Rickermann, Kat Sackett, Zoe Schulte and Kynzie Wrigley.

In Sunday’s finale for the seven seniors, the Redhawks picked up the series sweep with an 8-1 victory.

The Redhawks started the scoring early as they took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Turns out, those three runs would be all the Redhawks needed as Holman was once again dominant in the circle.

Holman tossed 5.1 innings, surrendering just one earned run while allowing two hits before being pulled and serenaded with cheers and a standing ovation from Redhawks fans.

Redburn was sure to give each of his seniors their own moment as a way to honor the legacy they left with the program.

“It’s a special thing,” Redburn said. “I’m glad it worked out the way we were able to do it.”

After Western Illinois made it 3-1 with a run in the top of the fourth, the Redhawks reeled off five straight runs to win the game 8-1.

Halliwill finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Redhawks. Also having a big game was fellow senior Kynzie Wrigley, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

SEMO (24-22, 18-6 OVC) wraps up the regular season beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 4, when the Redhawks travel to UT Martin for a weekend series with the Skyhawks.

“We just want to keep this momentum going in the right way,” Redburn said. “It’s going to be a tough one on the road against Martin but as long as we keep this style of play, aggressiveness and approach, whatever happens next weekend happens.”