April 8, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Tuesday, April 8, 2008) The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks conclude their five game homestand with a non-conference doubleheader at Southeast Softball Complex against Middle Tennessee State University. The Redhawks are 2-1 during the homestand after splitting a doubleheader against Tennessee State on Saturday and winning the finale on Sunday to improve to 6-1 at the "Plex". Against non-conference opponents at home the Redhawks are a perfect 2-0 defeating Missouri State and Saint Louis.

Last Week in Review

The Redhawks (17-18, 7-7 OVC) won their third-straight Ohio Valley Conference series as they took two out of three from Tennessee State this past weekend. The Redhawks won the opening game of teh series 5-2 before dropping their first home game of the season 3-2 in game two of the doubleheader. They bounced back to win the series finale 6-3 which moved them up to fifth place in the OVC standings. Michelle Summers continued her season-long hot streak as she batted .625 with two doubles, a homerun and three RBIs during the weekend. Megan McDonald batted .444 with one double and one RBI. Jennifer Vasquez batted .300 and hit her first career grand slam. Alex Ramirez scored three times and drove in three runs. Elaine Fisher appeared in every game during the weekend and went 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA. Fisher extended her complete game streak to 12-straight starts which moved her into a tie for second on the schools all-time charts with 72.

Scouting the Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders (14-18, 7-7 Sun Belt) on papaer are very similiar to the Redhawks and should provide a tough match-up. They have compiled a 5-6 road record after taking two out of three from Sun Belt rival North Texas this weekend. Corrie Abel recorded two game-winning hits including a walk-off single in the series finale.

The Tigers are led offensively by Abel who is batting .359 with three homeruns and 18 RBIs. Ashley Cline is batting .347 with 11 RBIs and a team-high 12 stolen bases. Martha Davis leads the team with five homeruns and 19 RBIs. Lindsey Vander Lugt is the staff ace with a 10-10 with a 2.25 ERA.

The Series

Last season the Redhawks lost to the Blue Raiders 3-2 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 12 innings. Abel knocked in the game-wiining run in the bottom of the 12th with a single. Elaine Fisher set a personal best for innings work with 11 1/3 innings but was hit with the loss. The Redhawks lead the all-time series 25-14.