Southeast Missouri State softball team books postseason spot

The Southeast Missouri State softball team has secured a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for the first time since 2011.

The Redhawks swept Austin Peay in a doubleheader on Saturday and officially made the field of eight teams after UT Martin lost twice to Murray State later in the day.

Southeast (18-25, 11-12 OVC) cruised to an 8-1 victory in Game 1 before posting a come-from-behind 6-5 win in the second game.

The Govs (9-36, 5-21 OVC) led 1-0 after the first inning but once the Redhawks plated a pair of runs in the top of the second they never trailed again.

Designated hitter Claire Wernig, who went 3 for 4, drove in two runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-1.

First baseman Lindsey Patterson recorded her third hit of the game in the fifth and later scored on a base hit to right by shortstop Taylor McDannold to push the lead to four runs.

Third baseman Savannah Carpenter had an RBI sacrifice fly and center fielder Kayla Fortner hit an RBI single to center in the top of the sixth to make it 7-1.

Wernig drove in the final run with a single in the seventh.

Freshman pitcher Madeline Krumrey improved to 12-10 with the win. She allowed one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts and a walk in five innings. Sophomore Keaira Schilling pitched the final two innings in relief and allowed two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Southeast held a 1-0 lead after one inning in Game 2 before the Govs tied it in the second.

APSU scored three in the third and one in the fifth for a 5-1 advantage that held until the seventh.

Pinch hitter Jamie Woodworth led off the inning with a double and scored to trim the lead to 5-2 on a base hit by right fielder Alexis Anderson.

Anderson scored on a fielder's choice by Patterson, who advanced to second on the throw.

After a one-out walk, McDannold reached on a fielder's choice when Davis was thrown out a home.

Wernig delivered the game-winning, bases-clearing double to center with two outs to put the Redhawks up 6-5.

The Govs got a leadoff single and sacrificed the runner to second but a strikeout and groundout secured the comeback win.

Schilling (5-10) got the win in relief. She relieved starter Aubrey Denno in the third and allowed two unearned runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Krumrey picked up her second save, allowing one hit and striking out one in the seventh.

The series finale between the Redhawks and Govs is set for noon today.

Track and field

Southeast senior thrower Sarah Hall was one of 13 event champions for the Redhawks at the Memphis Invitational on Saturday and broke a school record in the process.

Hall's hammer throw of 193 feet was good for first in the event and topped junior Kayla Gutierrez's throw of 191 feet, 3 inches from last season. Hall also was second in the discus (146-1/4) and third in the shot put (46-3 1/2).

Senior Kevin Farley competed unattached and won the shot put while senior Shon Kyle won the discus.

Junior Ayonna Cartwright took the 100-meter dash title and was third in the 200. Junior Jovannie Spears was third in the 400.

Senior and Jackson native Blake Smith won the 100 and freshman Jarred Pasley won the 200 and 400.

Sophomore Marc Maton won the 1,500-meter run while the Redhawks claimed the top three spots in the 3,000. Freshman Nathan Cook finished first followed by juniors Shane Brown and Craig Munie.

Junior Alyssa Rebecca claimed the top spot in the 1,500 and Central graduate Mary Dohogne won the 3,000. Junior Chante Mosby and sophomore Abi Sowash finished one-two in the high jump. Southeast had the top three finishers in the men's long jump. Senior Blake Carter won with Smith and junior Jacob Kent finishing second and third, respectively.

Kent was second in the high jump while senior Chris Navarro was second in the 110 hurdles.

Southeast won both the men'ss 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays.

The Redhawks compete at the Northern Illinois Invite in DeKalb, Illinois, next Saturday.