Southeast Missouri State softball team belts 5 HRs but drop pair to UTM

The Southeast Missouri State softball team belted five home runs Saturday, three by sophomore Lindsey Patterson and two by junior Alexis Anderson.

Little else went right for the Redhawks, whose struggles continued as the season draws to a close.

Visiting Tennessee-Martin swept the doubleheader 11-9 and 14-5 as the Skyhawks mashed four homers of their own and outhit Southeast 27-18 on the day.

The Redhawks, who have suffered six straight losses, are 15-33 overall and a 10th-place 6-18 in the 12-team OVC. They had already been eliminated from contention for a spot in the eight-team conference tournament.

Fourth-place UTM improved to 33-18 overall and 14-10 in league play.

Patterson hit two solo home runs in Saturday's opener and added a solo shot in the nightcap.

Anderson belted a grand slam in the opener and a solo homer in the nightcap. She and Patterson both have eight home runs on the season, one behind senior Simone Patterson for the team lead.

Anderson had a team-high four hits and seven RBIs on the day as she raised her average to .403.

Lindsey Patterson and senior Taylor Cowan both added three hits for the Redhawks.

Freshman Hannah Clemons suffered the loss in the opener, allowing eight hits and seven runs, just two earned, in 2 2/3 innings.

Southeast, trailing 11-4, scored five sixth-inning runs -- four on Anderson's slam -- to pull within 11-9 before the Skyhawks held on.

The nightcap was all UTM as Cowan took the loss. She allowed 12 hits and 12 runs, 10 earned, in six innings.

Kenzi Tate had a huge day for UTM, going 6 for 9 with a homer and six RBIs. She was also the winning pitcher in the opener.

Southeast will end its season today as the Redhawks and UTM conclude their three-game series at 1 p.m.

Today's game will feature Senior Day, with Southeast honoring seniors Cowan, Simone Patterson, Leah Becker, Xia Wilson and Kaitlin Zink prior to the contest.