Southeast Missouri State softball team drops two more games in tournament

The Southeast Missouri State softball team saw its losing streak reach nine games with a pair of tough losses Sunday.

Southeast was beaten by Missouri-Kansas City 5-2 in eight innings, then Missouri State scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevail 5-4.

Those setbacks came on the final day of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Southeast (4-11) also dropped both its tournament contests Saturday.

"The team played hard and the effort was there," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said. "We have endured just about every scenario there is over the last 15 games. We have to set our focus on conference play now. We are better than our 4-11 record indicates."

The Redhawks encountered their second extra-inning defeat of the tournament against UMKC, which pushed across three runs in the top of the eighth to break a 2-2 tie.

Tayor Cowan had two of Southeast's six hits. Alora Marble suffered the loss in the circle, allowing nine hits while going all eight innings.

Southeast then took a 4-2 lead into the final inning against Missouri State, but the Bears rallied with three runs.

Evan Sallis and Kaitlin Wallace both had two of Southeast's nine hits. Shea Cothren pitched 6 1/3 innings to take the loss. She allowed seven hits and all five runs.

The Redhawks begin Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday when they open their home schedule with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Morehead State.