Softball falls short in game one against SEMO - Morehead State University Athletics - MSU Eagles

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State held host Southeast Missouri State to just six hits, but the Eagle softball team could not muster enough offense of its own and ended up falling to the Redhawks 4-0 in Saturday's opening game of the weekend series at the Southeast Softball Complex in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Facing SEMO's all-time strikeout queen and reigning Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, senior Rachel Rook, Morehead State (2-23/1-8) was held to just two hits. Rook finished the day with 10 strikeouts.

The victory improved the Redhawks to 4-0 at home this year and 66-21 all-time against MSU, including a 34-7 mark in Cape Girardeau. It was SEMO's seventh win in a row over the Eagles on its own field. In addition, Morehead State has now dropped 24 straight contests away from home.

The Eagles hung with Southeast Missouri (15-13/4-3), the preseason choice to win the OVC, but were hurt by committing three errors that led to two unearned runs.

Despite the missteps, MSU fought the entire day, something that caught the attention of coach Samantha Jones.

"We were very pleased as a staff the way our team played," she said. "There were just a couple of minor errors that led to a timely hit which ultimately scored their runs. Their pitcher did a great job of spinning the ball, but as we got in(to) our later at-bats, we continued to fight off pitches and ultimately put some hits together."

Saturday's game gave Jones a blueprint as to how to leave Cape Girardeau with the team's first OVC road victory of the season.

"We know what we need to do tomorrow to have a better chance to continue to compete and continue to put runs up on the board," she added.

Junior right fielder Madeline Gailor reached on an error and stole second as the lone Eagle to get on base in the top of the first. The Redhawks opened their half of the inning with an infield single and an error. Then senior right fielder Kaylee Anderson had a hit down the right-field line that drove in sophomore shortstop Abigail Rickermann. The hosts successfully manufactured another run during the next at-bat, a ground out to third base, with a second runner attempting to score later on the play that senior catcher Peyton Slater tagged out after a throw from senior first baseman Alexis Strother.

MSU was unable to get a runner on base in either the second or third. In the bottom of the second, SEMO freshman first baseman Aubrie Shore drew a walk after a full count. But, an infield pop-up, a fielder's choice and a stolen base attempt thwarted by Slater and junior shortstop Kirya Kingery ended the Redhawks' half of the inning.

In the third, Southeast Missouri picked up a two-out double from sophomore center fielder Paige Halliwill and Anderson followed with a single to send Halliwill home for a 3-0 lead.

The Eagles put together a two-out rally of their own in the fourth. Strother walked and Kingery reached on a bunt single, but the inning ended before either could score.

MSU got its fourth baserunner of the game when freshman designated player Bree Sexton walked in the fifth, but again the visitors were unable to get on the scoreboard.

In its part of the fifth, SEMO collected another two-out double. This time it came off the bat of Halliwill. The Eagles' third fielding error of the day led to Halliwill coming home. The inning ended when Slater and Kingery connected for a second time to tag out a runner attempting to steal second.

Sophomore Paytience Holman entered in the top of the sixth to relieve Rook. She retired six of the next seven batters, with Strother singling to center field to lead off the seventh.

Morehead State left just four runners on base. Strother ended the day 1-for-2 with a walk, while Kingery was 1-for-3. Sexton reached on a walk and Gailor stole her sixth base of the year.

Sophomore Lennon Spicer was the hard-luck loser, falling to 2-11. She went the distance and allowed just two earned runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout.

"Lennon Spicer did a great job on the mound keeping the hitters off balance and only having one or two solid hits," Jones said. "Our defense, for the most part, did a great job of fielding the small plays, but then also making some big plays."

Southeast Missouri finished with three runners left on base and committed one error. Only four Redhawks got hits with Halliwill (2-for-3, with two runs) and Anderson (2-for-3, with one run and two RBI) leading the way. Rook earned the win to improve to 9-6. She gave up just one hit and two walks in five innings. Holman pitched the final two innings and surrendered a hit. She also had one strikeout.

The series will conclude on Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. ET. ESPN+ will broadcast both games. The opener can be seen at the link: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=80b06c5e-d31b-47eb-8d7a-75a2e3a5a2c0, with game two found by clicking: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=b2502949-9c04-41ae-a459-8940e0e314c9. Live stats can also be followed through SEMORedhawks.com: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=390126 (game one) and http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=390134 (game two).

After the weekend series, MSU returns to action at home on Wednesday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Kentucky State.

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