Redhawks drop doubleheader to Division II Missouri-St. Louis

The Southeast Missouri State softball team, because of numerous rainouts, earlier this week added to its schedule a home doubleheader with Missouri-St. Louis.

Maybe the Redhawks shouldn't have bothered.

The Division II Tritons stunned Southeast, sweeping Wednesday's twin bill 6-0 and 4-3.

UMSL improved to 22-12 and dropped Southeast to 12-12.

The Tritons rolled in the opener behind the pitching of Allyson DeFosset, who fired a three-hit shutout. She struck out 10 and walked two.

Southeast's Whitney Dupuis allowed nine hits and five earned runs, with 12 strikeouts and five walks.

UMSL staged a dramatic rally in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the seventh inning to erase a 3-0 deficit.

Southeast's Stefanie Barnes, who carried the shutout into the final frame, allowed 10 hits. She struck out nine and walked one.

The Redhawks were outhit 19-10 in the twin bill. Carmen Fowler led Southeast with three hits, including two doubles.

UMSL's Kelly Essner made a triumphant return to her home area.

The senior shortstop, a Kelly High School graduate who bats leadoff for the Tritons, had a hit and scored a run in each game.

Essner leads UMSL with five homers, 13 doubles and 32 runs scored. She is second with 16 RBIs and third with a .327 average.

Southeast, 3-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference, resumes league play this weekend with a series at Jacksonville State.