Doubleheader sweep sees Southeast Missouri State softball drop Tennessee Tech, host Memphis in Memphis Tiger classic on Saturday

The Southeast Missouri State softball team put together a strong Saturday performance, sweeping a doubleheader at the Memphis Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.

Southeast (13-9) took the opener, 7-3, over Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee Tech and then took down host Memphis 8-7 in Game 2.

The result against TTU (8-16) does not count in the OVC standings, but was a confidence-boosting result for when the two teams clash again Saturday in an OVC-opening doubleheader.

On Saturday, the Redhawks broke a 3-3 deadlock in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Abby Tillotson hit a three-run home run for a 6-3 advantage.

A Claudia Gallo RBI single in the sixth inning secured the final 7-3 score.

Tillotson was 1-for-3 with three RBIs, a walk and a run scored in the game.

Haley Thogmartin got the win in the pitcher's circle, coming on in relief and allowing no runs on one hit in the final 2 2/3 innings.

Rachel Rook got the start for Southeast, two runs — neither earned — on three hits in four innings. Alexis Estes pitched 1/3 of an inning in relief, giving up one run.

Leigh Ellen Thomas was the losing pitcher of record for the Golden Eagles, as she gave up seven runs — four earned — on in six innings pitched, striking out four and walking five.

Taylor Thomas was 2-for-3 for TTU while Ashley McGowan had two RBIs.

In game 2, Southeast took down the host Tigers (17-7).

After falling into a 4-2 hole in the first inning, the Redhawks vaulted in front with a five-run third inning and then held off Memphis' late push to secure the win.

SEMO loaded the bases in the third, pushing one run across when Riley Hayes drew a walk. Pinch hitter Madison Harris then scored two with a two-out single and Mykaela Arellanes capped the inning with a two-run double.

An error in the bottom of the sixth put Southeast in a sticky situation, and Memphis' Baylee Smith hit an RBI double to cut the gap to 8-7 with no outs, but reliever Thogmartin sat down the next three batters to preserve the victory.

Madeline Krumrey got the pitching win, giving up seven runs — six earned — on 10 hits in five innings.

Arellanes was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double for the Redhawks, who also got two hits apiece from Randi Dae Conway and Rachel Anderson.

SEMO finishes off the Memphis Tiger Classic today with another doubleheader, facing South Dakota State and another OVC rival, SIU Edwardsville.