Southeast beats Ark.-Pine Bluff again on cold, flurry-filled day

~ The second game of the baseball doubleheader was moved to today.

The Southeast Missouri State bats awoke on a chilly day, as the Redhawks cruised to a nonconference baseball victory Saturday.

The Redhawks struck for six runs in the second inning on their way to an 8-3 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Capaha Field on Saturday. It was the most runs the team has scored in an inning this season.

Jim Klocke knocked in a pair with a single through the right side, and Phillip Riley delivered a double that also drove in two runs. Brent Lawson smacked a run-scoring double in the inning while Nick Harris scored on a wild pitch in the big inning.

The Redhawks got their second consecutive impressive pitching performance Saturday, as Asif Shah allowed two hits in five scoreless innings. He improved to 2-0 this season and lowered his ERA to 1.29. Shah struck out seven and walked one.

Southeast jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Harris led off with a walk and scored on Matt Wagner's two-out single. Harris has reached base safely to start a game in four straight games. The Redhawks added an insurance run in the fifth on Omar Padilla's RBI single.

Southeast improved to 10-6 overall this season with its third consecutive win.

The second game of Saturday's doubleheader was moved to 1 p.m. today. Josh Syberg is scheduled to start for the Redhawks at 1 p.m.

Tennis wins again

The Southeast Missouri State women's tennis team enjoyed another romp Saturday as it drilled Missouri-Kansas City 7-0 in a nonconference match.

The Kristal twins delivered three points for the Redhawks for the third straight match. Bryce Kristal surrendered one game in each set in her victory at No. 1 singles. Drew Kristal was perfect in her sweep at No. 2 singles. The sisters teamed for an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles.

The Redhawks' victory was their third straight at home and improved their overall record to 6-5, marking the first time this season they are above .500.

Southeast returns to the courts Wednesday for four matches in four days in Hilton Head, S.C.

Southeast 7, Missouri-Kansas City 0

Singles

No. 1 -- Bryce Kristal (Southeast) def. Akshara Reddy 6-1, 6-1

No. 2 -- Drew Kristal (Southeast) def. Caitlin Burke 6-0, 6-0

No. 3 -- Luz Garcia (Southeast) def. Holly Davis 6-0, 6-1

No. 4 -- Elise Nattier (Southeast) def. Nicole Kofron 6-1, 6-0

No. 5 -- Kimmy Anderson (Southeast) def. Suzanne Bott 6-1, 6-2

No. 6 -- Julia Masotti (Southeast) won by forfeit

Doubles

No. 1 -- Bryce Kristal-Drew Kristal (Southeast) def. Akshara Reddy-Caitlin Burke 8-1

No. 2 -- Julia Masotti-Elise Nattier (Southeast) def. Holly Davis-Nicole Kofron 8-3

No. 3 -- Luz Garcia-Kimmy Anderson (Southeast) won by forfeit

Softball splits

Elaine Fisher surrendered one run, which was unearned, and got all the offense she needed from Michelle Summers as the Southeast Missouri State women's softball team opened conference play with a victory.

Fisher struck out seven to earn the win and Summers belted two home runs as the Redhawks downed Samford 3-1 in the first game Saturday.

The Bulldogs rallied to win the second half of the twin bill 10-2.

Summers, a junior, drove in all three of the Redhawks' runs in the first game.

The Redhawks opened a 2-0 lead after two innings in the second game, but Samford rallied for three in the fourth and added six insurance runs in the seventh to seal the game.

Alex Ramirez colled two hits for the Redhawks in the second game.

Southeast will get another shot at Samford today when the teams complete their weekend series at noon.

Gymnasts win

The Southest Missouri State women's gymnastics team won for the sixth time this season, defeating Centenary College 194.150 to 192.150 on Saturday.

Freshman Rikara Turner, who was recently named the Midwest Independent Conference Gymnast of the week, tied for first place in the balance beam with a score of 9.850. She won the all-around event with a total of 38.925.

Amber Garlotte captured first place in vault with a score of 9.775, while Maureen Grimaldi added a first-place finish on the floor with a 9.750. Jena Nguyen tied Turner for first place on the balance beam with a 9.850.