Redhawks win pair of games in Florida

Southeast Missouri State's softball team continued to roll at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., winning two more games Sunday.

The Redhawks (5-5), after posting two victories Saturday, improved to 4-0 in Florida by beating Cleveland State 4-1 and Colgate 4-3 in eight innings. Southeast will play six more games in Florida over the next three days.

"I told them we have 10 games down here and we can turn it around real quick from that slow start," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond, whose squad lost five of its first six games this season. "It's just a matter of getting consistent pitching, and that's what we're getting."

Against Cleveland State, Amy Fahnestock pitched a two-hitter, with three strikeouts and one walk.

Southeast had nine hits, led by Kelly Birk and Lindsay Pickering with two each. Pickering, Lyndsey Webb and freshman Megan McDonald from Central High School all had run-scoring hits.

Stephanie Huffman hurled all eight innings against Colgate, allowing five hits and one earned run, with three strikeouts and one walk.

Birk's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie and ended things. She had two hits and two RBIs, while Michelle Summers added two hits and an RBI, and McDonald had another hit and RBI.

"Both pitchers {Fahnestock and Huffman} have had two really good games down here, and the hitting has coming through," Richmond said.

The Redhawks play Columbia and Rider today.

Gymnasts lose on road

Southeast's gymnastics team suffered a 192-575-191-425 loss Saturday to Centenary College in Shreveport, La.

The Redhawks won two individual events as Katie Bloom captured vault (9.750) and Alison claimed beam (9.775).

Bloom placed second on bars (9.675), and she was also second in the all-around (38.750).

Tara Boldt was second on vault (9.725) as she finished third in the all-around (38.700).

Placing third for the Redhawks were Danyelle Aber on vault (9.675) and Crystal Eberhardt on beam (9.675)

The Redhawks return to action Sunday with a tri-meet at the University of Missouri that will also include Air Force.

Tennis falls at Samford

Southeast's tennis squad was dealt its first Ohio Valley Conference defeat of the season Sunday as Samford rolled 6-1 in Birmingham, Ala.

The Bulldogs (8-3, 2-2 OVC) won five of the six singles matches and two of three doubles to capture the doubles point.

Southeast (4-6, 1-1) received its lone singles victory from No. 1 Bryce Kristal. The Redhawks' doubles triumph came from No. 1 Bryce and Drew Kristal.

The Redhawks remain in Alabama today to take on OVC foe Jacksonville State.

Singles

1: Bryce Kristal (SE) def. Emily White 6-3 (retired)

2: Sarah McKey (S) def. Drew Kristal 6-3, 6-4

3: Katie McMiller (S) def. Daniela Garcia 6-3, 6-1

4: Bethany Benson (S) def. Ashley Hooper 6-1, 6-0

5: Katie Crawford (S) def. Kim Anderson 6-2, 6-1

6: Christie Baker (S) def. Kim Roberts 6-1, 6-0

Doubles

1: B. Kristal-D. Kristal (SE) def. White-McKey 8-6

2: Benson-Crawford (S) def. Garcia-Hooper 8-3

3: McMiller-Baker (S) def. Anderson-Roberts 8-3

--From staff reports