'Hawks' skid hits six games against Tech

Southeast suffered a pair of losses on Sunday. ~ Southeast Missourian

The Southeast Missouri State softball team finished a dismal weekend Sunday by dropping two more Ohio Valley Conference games at home.

Visiting Tennessee Tech, after winning Saturday's opener of the three-game series, swept Sunday's doubleheader 3-2 in 10 innings and 5-1.

Southeast, which has suffered six consecutive losses -- all in conference play -- fell to 22-22 overall and 10-10 in the OVC. Tech improved to 26-26 and 10-8.

In the opener, the teams were tied 2-2 through seven regulation innings, and the contest was still deadlocked after nine innings.

Tech finally broke through in the 10th, after a runner was placed at second base to begin the frame, per NCAA rules. A single and a sacrifice fly scored the run, then the Redhawks were unable to capitalize after they had a runner placed on second to start the bottom of the 10th.

Freshman Elaine Fisher (5-4) was the tough-luck loser. In nine-plus innings, she allowed 10 hits and three runs (one earned), with four strikeouts and no walks.

Bonnie Bynum (18-15) got her second win of the series, pitching all 10 innings. She allowed seven hits and two runs, with nine strikeouts and four walks.

The Redhawks had seven hits, with freshman Megan McDonald, freshman Michelle Summers and Victoria Torrez getting two each. Summers belted her team-leading ninth home run of the year, which ranks second on the school's all-time single-season list.

Stephanie Fischer had three of the Eaglettes 10 hits, while Ashley Potts homered.

In the nightcap, the Eaglettes pulled away late against Amy Fahnestock (13-11), who went all seven innings. She allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned), with six strikeouts and one walk.

Sarah Street (8-6) was the winner, allowing six hits and one run in six innings, with four strikeouts and no walks.

Southeast had six hits, led by Lindsay Pickering with two. Kacy Bennett had two of Tech's seven hits, while Samantha Lovelady and Jennifer Markham both homered as the Eaglettes had five home runs in the series.