Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MANKATO, Minn. – No. 2 Southeastern survived a scare in its first elimination game at the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, topping Augustana 4-3, but were unable to advance back to the regional championship, falling to the host Minnesota State, 8-0 on Saturday afternoon in Mankato, Minn.
The loss brings the Savage Storm season to a close with a 45-9 record.
In Saturday's opener, SE jumped out to a 1-0 lead, after
Jessica Simmons opened by reaching on an error and came around to score on a
Courtney Riddle groundout.
Whitney Hamilton would lead off the second inning with a double and after
Kaija Morris came on to run for her, she would advance on a sac bunt and score on a
Lauren Renneker groundout for a 2-0 lead.
Paige Priest led off the third by reaching on an error, moved to second on a Simmons single and then third on a Cook sac bunt attempt.
Priest would then score on an error by the pitcher for a 3-0 SE advantage.
Augustana would pick up a pair of runs in the fourth to close the gap to 3-2.
Courtney Moore would draw a walk to open the sixth inning,
Shayna Milam would come on to run and circle around to score on a double steal to take a 4-2 lead.
The Vikings would get another run in the seventh inning and push runners to second and third, but the Storm would hold on for the 4-3 win.
Simmons led the way at the plate with a pair of hits, while Riddle and Renneker each drove in runs.
Mindy McElroy picked up the win after tossing 5.2 innings and allowing three runs, one earned, on three hits with three K's.
Jacee Bennett tossed 1.1 innings in relief and allowed just one hit and struck out one to earn the save.
The Storm got off to a slow start in the nightcap, however, as the host Mavericks posted three runs in the top of the first, including a two-run homer.
In the bottom of the first,
Lacie Cook would draw a one-out walk, but the Storm would not be able to push her around to score and the next 16 batters would be retired in order before Simmons doubled down the left field line to break up a no hitter.
Courtney riddle would single to lead off the seventh, but SE was unable to get any runs in.
MSU added a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.
They would add two more in the top of the seventh to fashion the final of 8-0.
Simmons and Riddle each registered hits and SE finished with just two in the contest.
Bennett got the start and tossed 6.0 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out three.
McElroy tossed one inning and allowed a pair of runs on five hits.
