Softball Rolls Past UTD in Wednesday Twin Bill

RICHARDSON, Texas – The Southeastern softball program exploded for 21 runs across its doubleheader at UT Dallas to sweep the Comets. SE earned run-rule wins in both contests, defeating UTD 10-2 in game one and 11-2 in the second contest.
 
GAME ONE: SE 10, UTD 2 (5 Inn.)
The Storm struck first in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead after threatening with a pair of base runners in the first. SE sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs on three hits – all were doubles.
 
The blue and gold quickly had runners on second and third with one out after India McMurray and McKenna Simmons worked walks and stole a base. Keegan Rowland drove in the first run on an RBI double, and Iliana Olivares brought in two more with a double laced into left-center field before the final run crossed home on a throwing error by UTD's first baseman on a groundout play.
 
UTD was swift to reply, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second, but Southeastern exploded for three more runs in the third to push its lead to 7-2. The Storm recorded back-to-back singles to begin the frame, and RBI singles by K. Rowland and Olivares helped plate SE's three runs. SE continued to add to its lead, plating three more runs in the fourth, behind an RBI hit from K. Simmons and a fielding error by UTD to stretch the blue and gold's lead to 10-2.
 
Southeastern outhit the Comets 11-to-1, led by Olivares with three hits, four RBI and a run scored. Olivares was one of three players to record a double, while Susan Edwards, K. Simmons and K. Rowland each tallied two hits and combined for four runs scored. Emily Simmons earned the win in the circle with two runs surrendered on one hit and struck three batters to move to 7-6 on the year.
 
GAME TWO: SE 11, UTD 2 (5 Inn.)
SE jumped on the Comets early in game two, scoring four runs in the top of the first. The Storm quickly loaded the bases with one out, and for the third time this season, Tally Rowland belted a grand slam to center field to score all four runs. UTD would pull a run back in the bottom half before Southeastern rattled off seven runs in the second to race ahead 11-1.
 
The blue and gold had runners on first and second with two outs, and on the fourth at-bat of the frame, Edwards lined a single to center field to score the first run. On the following at-bat, E. Simmons knocked a base-hit into right field to score two more runs, extending SE's edge to 8-1. T. Rowland drove in the next two runs with her second home run of the game, and McMurray soon followed with another two-run homer to push Southeastern's advantage to 11-1.
 
Alyson Malone would allow just one more run in the fifth, as she improved to 6-6 in the circle with two runs surrendered on two hits, and five strikeouts. T. Rowland led the team with two hits – both home runs – and had a team-high six RBIs. McMurray finished 1-1 at the plate with a home run, was walked twice and scored one run. 
 
Southeastern (18-21, 10-11 GAC) remains on the road, as they head to Monticello, Ark., on April 10 and 11 for its next round of GAC action.