Southeast roundup: Redhawks drop softball series finale

The Southeast Missouri State softball team fell into sole possession of last place in the Ohio Valley Conference with Saturday's 11-2 loss at Austin Peay.

Southeast, after dropping a contest that ended in the bottom of the fifth inning on the eight-run rule, lost two of three in the series.

The Redhawks fell to 11-20 overall and 2-8 in the OVC. Austin Peay, which entered the series tied with Southeast for last place, is 8-23 and 3-7.

Austin Peay wiped out a 2-0 deficit with two fourth-inning runs, then exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning to end things early. Only three of the fifth-inning runs were earned.

Southeast had five hits, led by Shelby Stein with two. Stefanie Barnes allowed five hits and four runs, all earned, in four innings for the loss.

The squads split Friday's doubleheader. Southeast lost the opener 4-3 in eight innings and romped 12-5 in the nightcap.

Barnes was the tough-luck loser in the first game as she allowed seven hits and no earned runs while going the distance. She struck out five and walked one.

Elise Sperakos had two of Southeast's seven hits.

Southeast banged out 14 hits in the finale. Jennifer Vasquez had two hits, including her first home run of the season, and delivered four RBIs.

Also getting two hits were Sperakos, Alex Ramirez, Renee Kertz and Melissa Walker. Ramirez added two RBIs.

Whitney Dupuis scattered 13 hits for the complete-game victory. She struck out four and walked four.

The Redhawks return to action Wednesday with a 4 p.m. nonconference home game against SIU-Carbondale.

Tennis falls at home

The Southeast tennis team suffered a 6-1 loss to visiting Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Southeast fell to 2-14 overall and 1-6 in the OVC. JSU is 10-7 and 6-0.

Diana Donoslovic picked up her fourth singles victory of the season for the Redhawks, beating Rafaela Wenzel, 3-6, 6-1, 10-8 at No. 4.

The Gamecocks won the other five singles matches and all three doubles contests.

Southeast hosts Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

-- From staff reports