Redhawks cough up lead in seventh inning

The Southeast Missouri State softball team allowed three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to drop a 5-4 decision at Austin Peay on Saturday.

There were two outs when the winning runs scored. Austin Peay's Krista New laced a bases-loaded double to right field to end the game.

The Redhawks led 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference contest.

Elaine Fisher took the loss, dropping to 8-12 this season.

Southeast (13-17, 3-6) banged out 11 hits, led by Megan McDonald's and Michelle Summers' three-hit efforts. Stacia Dopudja and Lauren Bradley each had two hits in the loss.

It was the fifth three-hit game for McDonald, and the 15th multi-hit game for Summers this season.

Summers scored twice, while Dopudja and Bradley each scored one run.

The Redhawks wrap up their series with the Governors with a doubleheader today. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Gymnastics

The Southeast women's gymnastics team placed second in Friday's Midwest Independent Conference meet in Shreveport, La.

Illinois-Chicago won with a score of 193.850, followed by Southeast (192.025), host Centenary (191.775), Texas Woman's (191.075) and Illinois State (190.775).

Southeast's top individual finisher was Sandra Blake, who tied for first on floor (9.875).

Blake was also fourth on beam (9.625) and placed second in the all-around (38.750).

Rikara Turner tied for third on vault (9.800) and also tied for third in the all-around (38.550).

Southeast, ranked 34th nationally, still should be in good shape to earn a spot in the NCAA South Central Regional. The top 36 squads in the final rankings qualify for regionals. The regional berths will be announced Monday.

-- From staff reports