Redhawks split two at Memphis, nine-game winning streak ends

The Southeast Missouri State softball team's winning streak ended at nine games Thursday with a split in a doubleheader at Memphis.

The Redhawks edged the Tigers 2-1 in the opener but lost 3-2 in the nightcap.

Southeast (13-8) will try to build on its 3-0 Ohio Valley Conference start Saturday with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader against Tennessee-Martin.

The Redhawks opened Thursday's twinbill on the right foot with Michelle Summers' home run to lead off the first game. Southeast tacked on another run in the first inning when Charlene Ramirez singled, Jenn Monaghan drew a one-out walk, and Stephanie Huffman had a two-out RBI double to center field.

Sophomore pitcher Elaine Fisher made that lead stand, allowing only one run on seven hits over seven innings. She walked two and struck out six in improving to 5-5.

Summers finished 4-for-4, as Southeast also had seven hits in the opener.

Summers had two more hits in the nightcap, but Southeast never led in that contest.

Memphis (17-11) scored a run in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch by Huffman and scored two more in the fifth with two walks, three wild pitches and two hits --including one on a bunt.

Huffman took the loss, and dropped to 7-3, despite allowing just four hits in six innings. She walked four, hit one batter and had four wild pitches.

Huffman, who was 2-for-3, scored Southeast's first run in the fourth to knot the score at 1-1. She singled and came in on an error in the outfield on a ball hit by Lindsay Pickering.

After falling behind 3-1, Southeast closed within one on Lauren Bradley's solo home run in the sixth.

Southeast left seven runners on base -- to Memphis' five -- including one in scoring position in the fifth and another on first base in the seventh.

Memphis pitcher Jenna Kubesch allowed six hits in seven innings and struck out 10 batters, after Nicki Johnson struck out nine in the opener.