Ohio Valley Conference

TROY, Ala. -  Madison Winkler and Brooklyn Saysoff combined for five hits to lead Southeast Missouri (2-2) to a 5-3 win over Alabama State (0-7) Saturday morning at the Troy University Cardinal Clash.
 
SEMO finished its season-opening weekend strong with back-to-back victories over the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hornets.
 
The Redhawks again wasted no time getting a lead early.
 
Tatum Gerwitz drew a leadoff walk and Winkler singled for her first hit of the contest. Saysoff followed with a two-RBI single and Gerwitz also scored on the play. Tori Bradley grounded out and Sydney Melton touched home to give the Redhawks a 3-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.
 
Ahead, 3-1, after ASU scored once in the bottom of the first, SEMO took a four-run lead in the top of the third.
 
Winkler led things off with an infield single and later scored on a base hit by Gracie Luna. Kinley Wilkins knocked in Melton on a two-out hit to extend the Redhawks margin to 5-1.
 
The Hornets countered with two runs in the bottom of the third on a run-scoring singles by Brooke Ramsey and Leah Richardson to narrow SEMO's lead to 5-3.
 
After that, neither team scored again.
 
Tegan Livesay and Delaney Kell combined for four shutout innings out of the Redhawks bullpen. Livesay struck out four in three no-hit frames, while Kell recorded two strikeouts in one inning en route to securing her first save of the season.
 
Willow Van Haren (1-0) earned the win in her first start of the year. Van Haren worked three innings allowing three runs on four hits, striking out three and walking none.
 
Winkler went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Saysoff was 2-for-3 with a double, walk and two RBI. Saysoff finished the tournament with six hits in her final two games.
 
Additionally, Gerwitz hit safely in each of her first four games of 2025 with multiple hits in her first three starts. She hit a team-high .700 (7-for-10) with four runs scored in the tournament.
 
ASU committed four errors defensively.

ARMY 2, TENNESSEE TECH 1
SYRACUSE 12, TENNESSEE TECH 1 (5)
COLUMBUS, Ga. - It was a tough day on the diamond for the Tennessee Tech softball team as the Golden Eagles took a tough-luck 2-1 loss to Army, then fell 12-1 in a five-inning run-ruled game to undefeated Syracuse.

The Golden Eagles (4-5) close out their play at the Army Columbus Classic on Sunday as they take on Long Island, starting at 11:30 a.m. Central.

Against the Black Knights, Tech was held to four hits – two coming off the bat of Ashley Capelouto – with Olivia Evans driving in the lone run with an RBI single to right field in the fifth inning.

Army scored both of its runs in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single, then an obstruction call off of a single-error combination leading to the second run.

Payton Wagner fell to 0-3 on the season despite a solid performance, allowing two runs – one earned – on five hits and a walk over five innings. Addison Abell threw the scoreless final frame, yielding one hit.

Abbee Klinefelter had the other hit for the Golden Eagles in the day's first game.

Against the Orange, Tech scored its lone run as Julie Martin, who was running for Lainey Fitzgerald, came home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth. The Golden Eagles' safeties came from Abby Shoulders, Fitzgerald, Sydney Kirby and Capelouto.

Emily York took the loss, allowing six runs – five earned – over 10 hits in the first three innings as she struck out one. Fitzgerald came on in relief but was unable to retire a batter, allowing five runs – two earned – on three hits with two walks. Hannah Lange worked one frame, allowing a run on one hit and four walks, then Wagner threw a scoreless inning with one walk to close out the contest.

The bulk of the damage came in the third and fourth innings as the Orange scored five runs in each frame. Syracuse scored five runs on seven hits in the third, then five more on four hits and three Tech errors in the fourth.

WESTERN KENTUCKY 2, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
EASTERN ILLINOIS 10, ALABAMA STATE 0 (5)
TROY, Ala. - Eastern Illinois split games on its second day of action at the Troy Cardinal Classic with a hard luck 2-0 loss to Western Kentucky in the opener before a 10-0 win over Alabama State in five innings in the second game. 
 
EIU stands at 3-6 on the season.
 
McKenzie Oslanzi had her best outing of the season in the circle as she carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Western Kentucky only to end up on the short end of a 2-0 decision to the Hilltoppers.
 
Kendle White broke through leading off the sixth with a single up the middle.  She moved to second on a bunt and came home to score on a single by Morgan Sharpe.  
 
WKU strung together three more singles in the top of the seventh to manufacture their second run on an RBI single by Kennedy Stinson in a pinch-hitting role.  No WKU batters had more than one hit against Oslanzi who fell to 1-3 on the season.
 
EIU put the games first runner in scoring position in the fourth on a single by Karson Davey who then moved to second on a walk to Briana Gonzalez.   WKU's pitching staff worked out of that jam.  
 
They would also work out of a jam in the sixth as Kendall Grover led off with a single and eventually moved to third with two outs in the inning.  EIU was unable to get the big game tying hit.  Grover was 2-for-3 at the plate as EIU had five total hits.
 
Erica Houge (1-2) picked up the win in relief with Maddy Wood collecting the save for WKU (4-4).
 
In the Panthers second game of the day, EIU exploded for four runs in the second and four runs in the third as they picked up a 10-0 win over Alabama State in five innings.
 
Abbey Crain had the big hit in the second inning driving in two runs with a double to left.  Morgan Hance and Kendall Grover drove in the other two runs in the inning for EIU.
 
Abbi Hatton led off the third inning with a double for the Panthers eventually coming around to score.  Briana Gonzalez and Sophie Cerveny drove in runs in the inning. 
 
Crain, Grover and Cerveny all finished with two hits to lead the Panthers.
 
In the circle Karlie McKenzie (1-2) tossed a two-hit shutout with four strikeouts allowing just one walk. 
 
Brooke Ramsey opened the game with a hit and Leah Richardson had a single in the fourth for the Hornets.
 
Kaitlyn Hill (0-3) took the loss for ASU as they fell to 0-8 on the year.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY 18, MOREHEAD STATE 15
MOREHEAD STATE 4, KENNESAW STATE 2
KENNESAW, Ga. - Freshman Sela Pickford racked up five RBI, but the Morehead State Eagles fell to the Northern Kentucky Norse 18-15 on Saturday. The 33 total runs tied its school record for most in a game. The Eagles defeated Lincoln Memorial at home on April 29, 1993, 31-2, which was the previous record. It was the 11th time in MSU history both teams scored in double figures.

Pickford (0-1) pitched her first career game and took the loss in the circle for Morehead State (0-8).

Pickford, who has hits in nine straight games, went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple in addition to her five RBI for the Eagles. Freshman Maddy Christopher compiled a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Freshman Sophie Collins also helped out for Morehead State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double, a walk and an RBI.

Coach Megan Griffith was encouraged by the team's progress throughout the afternoon, despite its recent struggles and makeshift lineup.

Trailing 6-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the first inning. Morehead State's offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of freshman Nyla Doiron.

The Norse expanded their lead to 7-5 before the Eagles offense got back to work, taking the lead in the third. The Morehead State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run triple off the bat of Pickford, which brought the Eagles lead to 9-7.

Morehead State's lead had evaporated by the time the fourth inning arrived and turned into a 10-9 Northern Kentucky advantage, when the Eagles evened up the game at 10.

The Norse broke up the tie and grabbed the lead heading into the sixth inning, when Morehead State got back on the board. The Eagles scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Pickford, bringing the score to 18-15 in favor of Northern Kentucky. The Eagles were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

Morehead State's eight-game skid to start the season ended in Saturday's second contest of the Kennesaw State Tournament as the Eagles defeated the hosts 4-2. MSU rallied from down 2-1 in the fifth inning to take down the Owls.

Freshman Emma Solis (1-2) got the win for Morehead State (1-8). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on seven hits, allowing five walks and striking out four.

At the plate, the Eagles were led by freshman Darlene Montoya, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two doubles and an RBI. Freshman Ilencia Lightbody furnished a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Sophomore Sela Pickford also contributed for Morehead State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.

Pickford continued her strong play both on offense and defense, and extended her hitting streak to 10 games.

MSU completed Saturday's two games without making an error, the first day this season the club accomplished that feat

LINDENWOOD 5, CHATTANOOGA 4
NORTH ALABAMA 8, LINDENWOOD 0 (5)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Lindenwood softball (4-4, 0-0 OVC) split day two at the Chattanooga Challenge as they started the day with a win over Chattanooga (2-7, 0-0 SOCON) before falling to North Alabama (9-0, 0-0 ASUN). This marks the fourth straight day of play that the Lions have split their two games on.

Irelynn West was the hero during Lindenwood's 5-4 win over Chattanooga after going 3-3 with three home runs. She becomes just the second Lion in the NCAA era to accomplish that feat (Whitney Wendel - 2021) and first in Division I. In just one game, West tied her season-high for home runs with three which she set back in 2022.

Lindenwood only had four hits in the ball-game but all four were home runs. Besides West's three home runs, Jolie McMinn added one to give the Lions a 5-4 victory over the Mocs. Chattanooga scored four runs on nine hits with two errors.

West and McMinn started the game with back-to-back home runs in the second inning as the Lions took the early 2-0 lead. After UTC answered with a home run of their own in the bottom of the second, West hit her second of the game this time scoring Dallis Darnell as LU took a 4-1 lead.

Chattanooga added two more runs in the third to cut the lead to one before West hit her third and final home run in the top half of the fifth to give the Lions an extra insurance run. The Mocs scored one run in the seventh, but LU captured their fourth win of the season.

Samantha Roulanaitis (W, 1-1) picked up her first career win at Lindenwood after throwing a complete game allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out six Mocs.

In game two, Lindenwood was limited to just two hits while committing four errors as North Alabama continued their win streak to nine games to start the season. Madisen Noll and McMinn both had the two hits for Lindenwood.

UNA scored one run in the first, three in the second, and four in the fifth as they ended the game winning 8-0. North Alabama finished with nine hits as they defeated Lindenwood for the second consecutive day.

Ryleigh Owens (L, 1-1) pitched a complete game allowing eight runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out two, Katie Simon earned the win for UNA after throwing 5.0 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six.

CSU BAKERSFIELD 5, WESTERN ILLINOIS 0
HONOLULU - Western Illinois battled at the plate but couldn't break through on the scoreboard, suffering a 5-0 shutout loss to Cal State Bakersfield in a neutral-site contest on Saturday afternoon at RWSS Stadium.

Despite collecting ten hits, the Leathernecks (2-7) left nine runners stranded and were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Roadrunners (5-5) took advantage of timely hitting, scoring three runs in the third inning before adding insurance runs in the fourth and fifth.

Lillie Wools (0-1) got the start for Western Illinois, pitching five innings while allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits with one strikeout. Kaitlyn Green provided a strong relief outing, throwing a perfect sixth inning to keep the game within reach.

Offensively, Cynthia Hull led the Leathernecks with a 2-for-3 performance, while Jillian Morris added a double off the bench. Malia Robertson, Kaylee Ketcherside, Payton Brown, Maria Luna, Rylee Boone, and Alivia Beard each recorded a hit, but Western Illinois struggled to bring runners home, grounding into a key double play and missing chances with runners in scoring position.

Bailee Bustos shut down the Leathernecks' offense with a complete-game shutout for Cal State Bakersfield, allowing ten hits but keeping Western Illinois off the board. Shaylene Fuimaono led the Roadrunners at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Defensively, Western Illinois committed two errors, while Cal State Bakersfield played a clean game in the field.

SIUE 4, RUTGERS 1
SIUE 9, EAST TEXAS A&M 5
COMMERCE, Texas - SIUE swept a pair of games Saturday at the Lion Invitational, besting Big Ten opponent Rutgers 4-1 and roaring past host East Texas A&M 9-5.

The Cougars improved to 5-4 for the season and next face Iowa in the tournament finale Sunday at 9 a.m.

In game one Saturday, SIUE blasted three home runs to stun Rutgers.

Kaylin Fahy started the Cougars' long ball trek with a solo shot in the second to right center field. Two outs later Juztyne Torres smacked a home run to left field to put the Cougars up 2-0.

Avery Arwood went the distance for SIUE with her second win in as many days. She fanned three and didn't allow Rutgers' lone run until the seventh inning. Rutgers fell to 4-5 overall.

Lauren Yslava added her third home run of the season in the fifth. Her two-run shot was with Torres on base.

Both teams finished with six hits. Yslava led the Cougars with two.

In Saturday's nightcap, East Texas A&M jumped out to a strong lead with five runs in the first inning but were held scoreless the rest of the way.

McKayla Anderson threw the final six innings in relief of Emma Henderson and earned her first victory at SIUE.

SIUE's bats once again were hot. Kaylynn Salyars led the Cougars with three hits.

Piper Montgomery started the Cougars' offense with an RBI single in the second inning that plated Torres.

Raegan Duncan brought home a run with a sacrifice fly in the third before Torres tripled home two more to cut the lead to 5-4 in third inning.

Anna Henderson put the Cougars ahead for good with a three-run blast to left field in the fourth inning.

Torres added another extra-base hit in the fifth inning. This time her double to center field drove home Duncan.

Anna Henderson added one more RBI in the sixth on a sacrifice fly.