Southeast Missouri State softball team debuts with a tough loss

~ Jackson State defeated the Redhawks 1-0 with a walk-off double in the seventh inning

The Southeast Missouri State softball team lost its season opener Thursday in walk-off fashion.

Host Jackson State scored the game's only run in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat the Redhawks 1-0 in Jackson, Miss.

"It was a well-played game on both sides, but we came up short on a number of opportunities to score with a key hit," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said in a release. "Taylor Cowan had a solid outing in the circle. Our defense rose to the occasion multiple times."

Tahlisa Blosser delivered an RBI double to plate Arial Siegel from first base with nobody out in the seventh inning.

Southeast managed just three hits compared to eight hits for the Tigers.

Cowan went the distance for Southeast, striking out four and walking three.

Kaitlin Zink, Simone Patterson and freshman Savannah Carpenter had Southeast's hits. Carpenter doubled in the seventh inning for her first collegiate hit.

Zink tied a career high with two stolen bases.

The Redhawks did not commit an error and freshman catcher Chelsea Smith threw out two base runners attempting to steal.

Southeast continues its season-opening road swing with five games over the next three days at the Mardi Gras Classic in Monroe, La.

The Redhawks plays Mississippi Valley State and Grambling State today.