Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team lost a pair of contests against Southeast Missouri State University on Monday afternoon.
 
EKU (18-13, 5-3 OVC) lost game one against the Redhawks, 4-1, before falling in game two 9-7.
 
In game one, EKU could not get much going at the plate with only three hits.  
 
Southeast Missouri State (27-8, 5-1 OVC) got off to a quick start after a lead off hit by pitch, Rachel Anderson and Ashley Ellis followed with back-to-back singles to bring home the game's first run. In the third inning, Anderson sent a solo shot over the left center field fence to take a two run lead after three innings.  
 
Eastern got on the board when Hannah Clark extended her hitting streak to 14 games with a double in the right center gap to bring home Sammi Miller.
 
SEMO scored one run in the fourth and fifth innings.
 
Mollie Paulick came on in relief and pitched one and one-third innings allowing one hit and striking out four. Haley Thogmartin started in the circle for the Redhawks going the distance and striking out 10.
 
Southeast Missouri out hit the Colonels 10-3.
 
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Game two was a back and forth affair.
 
Southeast Missouri struck first, after a single by Claudia Gallo and Anderson put runners on first and second. Addison Barnouski delivered a two RBI double to give the Redhawks the early 2-0 lead.
 
Eastern answered right back in the top of the second. Emily Corbitt walked, followed by back-to-back singles by Zoe Mihalicz and Matti Morales to load the bases with one out. Erica Bowers came on to pinch hit and drove in the first run after a sac fly brought home Corbitt. Jackie Mercado came on to pinch hit and singled down the right field line to bring home Amanda Sjoberg and tie the game at 2-2.
 
In the top of the third Miller singled, followed by a Carly Robinson walk to put runners on first and second with two outs. Corbitt singled down the left field line to give Eastern the 3-2 lead. Mihalicz followed suit and singled the other way to bring home two more runs and take a 5-2 lead.
 
The Redhawks wasted no time answering back with three runs of their own. A leadoff double by Gallo, followed by a walk from Anderson put runners on first and second with no one out. Ellis laid down a bunt single and advanced to second on the throwing error while Gallo came around to score. Kaylee Anderson doubled to left center to bring home two and tie the game at 5-5.
 
In the bottom of the fourth Mykaela Arellanes singled up the middle to get things started for the Redhawks. Gallo got hit and it set up more Anderson heroics as she sent her second home run of the day over the left center field fence to take an 8-5 lead for good.
 
Eastern scored one in the sixth and one in the seventh but could not complete the comeback.
 
Mihalicz went 4-for-4 with one home run and four RBIs. Miller chipped in a 2-for-4 performance at the plate.
 
Rachel Anderson went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks. Gallo was 3-for-3 with one RBI on the game.
 
The Colonels return home on Wednesday, when they host the 18th ranked Kentucky for their Suicide Awareness and Prevention game. First pitch is at 6 p.m.