Storm Rally Falls Short Against Maryville 7-6

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – In the final game of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, the Southeastern softball program fell short against Maryville, 7-6.
 
The Savage Storm registered eight hits to score six runs, led by Emily Simmons with three hits for three RBIs and two runs scored. India McMurray tallied a pair of hits, including a home run, to bat in three runs. Alyson Malone pitched 4.0 innings in relief and would get the loss in the circle with two runs allowed on three hits.
 
A fast start by the Saints saw them take a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second, but the blue and gold quickly responded in the top of the third with a five-run inning. SE had the bases loaded with one out and a single through the left side by E. Simmons plated the first two runs before a three-run home run by McMurray gave the Storm a 5-4 lead. However, Maryville answered in the bottom half with a run of its own to tie the game 5-5.
 
The fourth inning would be the first scoreless frame of the game, but the pace would pick up again in the fifth with two sides trading runs. On the first at-bat of the fifth, E. Simmons launched a solo home run over the centerfield wall to regain the lead 6-5. In the bottom half, the Saints replied back, sending six to the plate and scoring two runs to go up 7-6.
 
 Both teams posted zeros in the sixth, and the blue and gold looked to tie the game in the top of the seventh with runners on first and second with no outs. Southeastern's late rally was quickly brought to an end by the Saints, who worked three straight outs to secure the win.
 
Southeastern (4-6) will turn its attention to the Cherokee Nation D2 Festival on Feb. 14-15, hosted by Northeastern State.