Redhawks take series from UTM

~ Southeast improved to 5-1 in OVC play with a 3-1 victory.

A potent offense has carried much of the load for Southeast Missouri State's softball team this year, but pitching grabbed the spotlight over the weekend.

The Redhawks capped a well-pitched series against visiting Tennessee-Martin Sunday, getting a complete game from Elaine Fisher in a 3-1 victory.

Southeast, after splitting a pair of 2-1 decisions with the Skyhawks Saturday, improved to 15-9 overall and 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Tennessee-Martin is 18-14-1 and 3-4.

"We're getting solid pitching from Elaine Fisher and Stephanie Huffman," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said. "That's been a big key for us."

Fisher had a particularly strong weekend on the mound, including Sunday's performance, during which she went all seven innings and allowed six hits, with eight strikeouts and one walk.

During Saturday's doubleheader, Fisher worked 8 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, with nine strikeouts and no walks. She suffered a complete-game loss in the opener and saved a win for Huffman in the nightcap.

Fisher's record is just 6-6, but she has a team-leading 1.80 earned-run average.

"She pitched another gem, and this time we got her some runs" Richmond said. "Her pitches were working, she had great movement and Lyndsey Webb called a great game."

The Redhawks, who entered play Sunday leading the OVC in batting average at .282 and in home runs with 28, again had trouble scoring against Tennessee-Martin.

But the Redhawks came up with three runs in the fifth inning -- all unearned, thanks to an error -- to break a scoreless tie.

With one out, Webb singled, then Michelle Summers' fly ball to deep center field was dropped. Charlene Ramirez walked to load the bases. Megan McDonald's sacrifice fly put Southeast on top, and Jenn Monaghan drilled a two-run double.

"We got people on base, we got clutch hits, and we capitalized on the error," Richmond said.

Monaghan, a freshman, and Huffman both had two of Southeast's eight hits. Justine Pineda went 3-for-3 for the Skyhawks.

Southeast hosts Evansville Wednesday in a 2 p.m. nonconference doubleheader.