Morehead State sweeps Redhawks in OVC softball opener

~ Southeast let a four-run lead slip away in the nightcap

Southeast Missouri State softball coach Lana Richmond knows her team has little margin for error this year.

That's because the Redhawks are without pitching ace Giana Zimmerman, last year's freshman sensation who will not suit up this season due to a shoulder injury.

"In our situation we have to play spotless defense, not put people on and score four to six runs to win," Richmond said.

Putting people on was one of Southeast's problems Saturday as the Redhawks began Ohio Valley Conference play against Morehead State.

Southeast walked six in both games as the visiting Eagles posted a sweep, 9-2 and 7-5.

Morehead (9-11 overall, 2-0) and Southeast (9-14, 0-2) close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.

"We give up six walks in both games," said Richmond, whose 2009 squad finished second in the OVC's regular season and reached the finals of the conference tournament. "We can't put people aboard.

"Realistically our pitchers are going to give up hits. For the most part we've been playing pretty good defense. But we can't give up so many walks."

Saturday's nightcap was particularly disappointing for Southeast, which led 5-1 after five innings.

Morehead exploded for four runs with two outs in the top of the sixth. Elizabeth Wagner had a two-run double to make it 5-3 and Kayla Brill's two-run homer tied things.

Southeast left the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth. Morehead went ahead with a two-run seventh and the Redhawks left two more on in the bottom of the frame.

"Every conference game is crucial, but that second game we let slip away," Richmond said.

Southeast had 11 hits, two each by senior Jennifer Vasquez, junior Nicole Troncoso, junior Carmen Fowler and sophomore Shelby Stein. Fowler homered and had two RBIs. Troncoso leads the Redhawks with a .386 average.

Junior Whitney Dupuis allowed 10 hits and six walks to take the loss.

The story of the opener was Morehead's Alex Gjevre, one of the OVC's top pitchers who allowed just two hits in five shutout innings. She struck out six and walked none.

Sophomore Stefanie Barnes gave up 12 hits and six walks in a losing effort.

Gjevre also returned to the mound in the nightcap to notch her second win of the day. She allowed six hits and two runs in four innings, with four strikeouts and two walks.

"I like our kids' fight," Richmond said. "We put runners on base [in the second game] against one of the best pitchers in the OVC."

Troncoso had three of Southeast's 14 hits on the day.

Morehead totaled 22 hits, led by Brill with five.

The Redhawks will hit the road for three games at Eastern Kentucky after today's game.