Semoball

Southeast Missouri State softball opens the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament as top seed

Southeast Missouri State junior Sarah Messex (3) scores during a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois last month at the Southeast Softball Complex in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks have a program-record 41 wins entering the OVC Tournament.
Jacob Wiegand

Just days after claiming a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship, the Southeast Missouri State softball team was back on the field.

After arriving in Oxford, Alabama, for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Tuesday, the OVC co-champion Redhawks held practice on the field they will be playing Thursday.

In one of the best seasons in program history, Southeast (41-15, 17-5 OVC) set a school record with 41 victories. The Redhawks will begin the double-elimination tournament as the top seed after winning a coin-flip over Jacksonville State after both teams finished with identical 17-5 marks in conference play.

Southeast, which received a first-round bye, will look to add to its win total when it takes on fifth-seeded Eastern Kentucky at 11:30 a.m. in the second round. With the regular season over, Southeast coach Mark Redburn spoke on how important it is to remain focused.

"They're pumped up and ready to work," he said. "One thing about this team is that they are not caught up on the accomplishment. It definitely was great to set the record, but it's not the ending point. It's a brand new season."

The Redhawks also seek their first OVC Tournament championship since 1999.

"It's so much bigger than softball," Redburn added. "When they're playing, representing SEMO makes them proud and they want to leave a legacy."

Redburn also mentioned how the team has earned his trust because of how mature they are on and off the field, which makes for a smooth operation.

"These ladies are a fun, responsible group," he said. "They have been dedicated, and as a coach, that makes my job easier."

With an extra day to prepare, Redburn said grabbing an early lead will be important in putting pressure on opponents in the tournament.

"We want to jump on the opposition early due to our style of play," Redburn said. "There's no pressure on us in playing at a neutral site; we're confident and just ready to play."

Offense has been a key to the Redhawks' success. As a team, Southeast led the conference in home runs (67), hits (442), runs (325), RBIs (282) and triples (23).

When production is accompanied by wins, recognition often follows, which the Redhawks at the OVC banquet Tuesday night. Four Redhawks were honored with postseason superlatives.

Junior outfielder Rachel Anderson was named the OVC Player of the Year after leading the conference in seven categories: batting average (.453), hits (73), RBIs (53), triples (9), total bases (139), on-base percentage (.548) and slugging percentage (.863). She also leads the Redhawks with 22 stolen bases.

Junior first baseman Ashley Ellis was named all-OVC first team after leading the team with 15 home runs and batting .346 with 52 RBIs, both second on the team.

Cladia Gallo earned second-team honors after batting .326, with 44 hits, 31 runs, 25 RBIs and 10 home runs. Gallo is among three Redhawks with at least 10 home runs. Six Redhawks have seven or more home runs.

The Redhawks also excelled in the pitching circle during the regular season. Senior Haley Thogmartin was named all-OVC first team after posting a 19-6 record with a 1.73 ERA. Three of her nine complete games were shutouts. Thogmartin also recorded her first 100-strikeout season with 122 in 149 1/3 innings.

Thogmartin and the rest of the pitching staff were supported by the OVC's top defense, which posted a .969 fielding percentage.

Redburn was named OVC Coach of the Year, and he credited his team's cohesiveness and fan support.

"It's great to have fans and alumni support, because the players feed off of it," he said.

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OVC Tournament

at Oxford, Alabama

Wednesday

(single elimination)

* (6) Belmont 7, (7) UT Martin 0

* (5) Eastern Kentucky 6, (8) SIU Edwardsville 2

(double elimination)

* (3) Austin Peay 4, (6) Belmont 2

* (5) Eastern Kentucky 5, (4) Murray State 3

Today

* (2) Jacksonville State vs. (3) Austin Peay, 9 a.m.

* (1) Southeast Missouri vs. (5) Eastern Kentucky, 11:30 a.m.

* Austin Peay/Jackson St. loser vs. (4) Murray State, 2 p.m.

* Southeast Missouri/Eastern Kentucky loser vs. (6) Belmont, 4:30 p.m.

Friday

* Game 9, 11 a.m.

* Game 10, 1:30 p.m.

* Game 11, 4 p.m.

Saturday

* Game 12, Championship 11 a.m.

* Game 13, Championship (if necessary, 30 minutes after Game 12)

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