Southeast Missouri State softball team swept on walk-off HR

The Southeast Missouri State softball team lost its fourth game of the season in walk-off fashion as host Jacksonville State rallied for a doubleheader sweep in Ohio Valley Conference play Monday.

The Gamecocks belted five home runs in a 10-4 victory in the opener, then used a walk-off home run by Sara Borders to beat Southeast 6-5 in the second game.

Borders' home run came off Madeline Krumrey, who walked the leadoff batter before surrendering the blast.

Kayla Fortner belted her eighth home run of the season in the fourth inning to spark the Redhawks back from a 4-0 deficit.

Southeast (5-14, 2-4) added a run in the fifth before taking the lead on a three-run home run by Lindsey Patterson with two outs in the sixth.

"I was happy with how we came back in the second game," Southeast coach Mark Redburn said in a release. "We knew we had a chance to start over in Game 2 and never gave up. Right now, the biggest thing is that we are growing and have to work on tightening up the details in all phases of the game."

Krumrey (3-4) allowed eight hits and struck out three in throwing a complete game.

Southeast countered with nine hits, including two each by Savannah Carpenter and Meaghan Touchette.

Whitney Gillespie (7-2) capped a big day by notching the win in relief for JSU (20-7, 4-0), allowing three hits and three runs over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Gillespie had opened the scoring in Game 1 with a three-run home run in the first inning off Keaira Schilling (2-7), who gave up six runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.

The Gamecocks, who had 11 hits in the game, also added three runs in the third.

Southeast collected 10 hits but stranded 10 runners. Alexis Anderson and Taylor McDannold both had two hits for the Redhawks.

Southeast returns to action this weekend when it hosts SIU Edwardsville in a three-game OVC series. Play begins with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Fortner honored

Southeast Missouri State senior outfielder Kayla Fortner was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week after batting .556 and driving in 12 runs in six games last week.

Fortner's 10 hits in 18 at-bats included a home run and four doubles. The week included a 3-for-3 performance against UT Martin , which included her seventh home run of the season and three RBIs, and a 4-for-4 effort against Tennessee Tech.

Fortner, who won the weekly honor for a second time, is batting an OVC-leading .500 through four conference games this season.

Evans earns award

Southeast Missouri State junior outfielder Clayton Evans has been named the OVC Co-Player of the Week after helping the Redhawks to a 4-1 record.

Evans batted .500 (8 for 16), drove in seven runs, scored seven runs and belted two home runs over the five games. He also slugged .938 and had a .579 on-base percentage.

Evans hit a home run and scored three times in the Redhawks' 12-11 win over Arkansas.

He added a grand slam in the opener of a weekend sweep against UT Martin. He had three hits in the Redhawks' 5-4, 12-inning win over the Skyhawks on Sunday.

Belmont infielder Matt Beaty shared the award with Evans, who received the honor for the first time.

Southeast (13-9 overall, 7-2 OVC) will host Saint Louis University at 6 p.m. today.