Redhawks sweep Austin Peay

The Southeast Missouri State softball team ran its winning streak to five Saturday by sweeping an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader.

Southeast beat visiting Austin Peay 4-1 in the opener and 6-5 in a nine-inning nightcap.

The Redhawks improved to 17-19 overall and 6-8 in OVC play as they moved up from eighth place to seventh in the nine-team conference. Austin Peay (12-31, 2-13) remained in last place.

Freshman Giana Zimmerman continued her strong pitching in the opener as she improved to 10-8 with a three-hitter. She struck out nine and walked three.

Sophomore Carmen Fowler and freshman Shelby Stein both had two of Southeast's nine first-game hits. Freshman Renee Kertz drove in two runs.

The Redhawks rallied from a 5-1 deficit to capture the nightcap. A three-run sixth inning tied the contest at 5-5, which is the way things stood after the regulation seven innings.

Southeast loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning and, with two outs, senior Lauren Bradley drew a walk that forced in Kertz with the winning run.

Sophomore Whitney Dupuis was strong in relief to get the win, allowing four hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings. Dupuis (4-7) struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Junior Alex Ramirez had three of Southeast's 12 hits. Fowler and junior Elise Sperakos each added two hits. Fowler and junior Jennifer Vasquez delivered two RBIs.

The squads close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.