SHAWNEE, Okla. – Southeastern rallies and scores six runs in the top of the seventh, including a grand slam by
Tally Rowland to take the series opener against No. 17 Oklahoma Baptist 8-6.
The Savage Storm out-hit the Bison 11-to-6 over the seven innings, led by
Susan Edwards with a 3-4 day at the plate and three runs scored.
Iliana Olivares and
Emily Simmons each knocked in two hits, and the duo combined for three RBIs. SE would overcome four errors defensively, while OBU committed zero.
E. Simmons started the game in the circle and twirled all 7.0 innings, with six runs allowed on six hits. The junior righthander improved to 5-6 in the circle after the win and tied her season-high strikeout totals with seven.
The Bison charged out to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first two innings, scoring two runs in the first and second. Southeastern soon got on board in the top of the fourth, plating a run behind an RBI ground by E. Simmons to score Edwards, who led the frame off with a single. However, OBU answered back in the bottom half of the fourth to push its lead back to four, 5-1.
SE continued to chip into the Bison lead, adding a run to its score in the sixth to make it 5-2. A lead-off double by Edwards would set up the lone run, as E. Simmons picked up another RBI on a single up the middle to plate Edwards. That run would provide a spark for the blue and gold heading into the seventh, as Southeastern soon exploded for six runs in the seventh to grab its first lead, 8-5.
The Storm quickly loaded the bases with Olivares,
Tristan Hopkins and Edwards all reaching base to begin the inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Rowland stepped up to the plate and sent the first pitch she saw over the wall down the left field line for a grand slam, 6-5. SE continued to add to its score with two more runs crossing home to extend the gap to 8-5.
In the bottom half of the seventh, Oklahoma Baptist pulled a run back to make it 8-6, and had the tying run at the plate with a runner on first and two outs. Starting pitcher E. Simmons would close the door on the Bison's late push with a strikeout to secure the final out and win, 8-6.
Southeastern (13-19, 7-9 GAC) will look to secure the series win in tomorrow's doubleheader at the Bison Softball Park versus No. 17 Oklahoma State at noon.
