Ohio Valley Conference

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood softball (16-17, 7-7 OVC) split their double header on Sunday at home against the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State (15-13, 8-5 OVC) by final scores of 3-1 and 0-5. The Lions secured their first ever victory against SEMO during game one.

Ryleigh Owens (W, 8-6) and Avery Wapp (S, 2) combined for a one-run outing as the Lions opened the series with a 3-1 win at the Lou Brock Sports Complex. Owens started the game throwing 5.0 innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out four.
 
The Lions combined for eight hits including a 3-3 performance from Madisen Noll. Mya Bethany also went 2-2 after two bunt singles while picking up an RBI. This win also marked the first time the Lions have beaten the Redhawks in their series history.
 
After three scoreless innings, SEMO got on the scoreboard first with their one run coming in the fourth inning off of Owens. With two outs and runners at first and second, Gracie Luna singled up the middle for the first run of the game.
 
Lindenwood scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning off of the Redhawks starting pitcher Delaney Kell. Noll started the fifth with a single and was moved to third after a double by Anna Sanders. Bethany then laid down a safety bunt scoring Noll for the first run. Nicole Henson (sac fly) and Jolie McMinn (RBI single) added the final two runs putting the Lions in control 3-1.
 
Wapp finished off the game throwing the final 2.0 innings allowing no hits and tossing four strikeouts in her second save of the season.

SEMO tied the season series in game two on Sunday after defeating the Lions by a final score of 5-0. Lindenwood's offense was held to just four hits in the loss while the Redhawks posted five runs on eight hits. Lucy Pratt (L, 1-2) suffered the loss on the mound after throwing 4.2 innings allowing four runs on five hits with a strikeout.

Samantha Roulanaitis came in relief for Pratt in the fifth inning allowing one run on three hits, also striking out one. Molly Heidrick pitched the final 1.0 inning allowing no hits and picking up her first strikeout of the season.

Pratt started the game pitching four scoreless innings allowing just two hits. Lindenwood had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third after Bethany and Henson both had singles, but they left the inning with no runs.

SEMO scored all five runs in the fifth capped off by a three-run blast by Gracie Luna. The Lions would have two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but the Redhawks got the final out as they picked up the win in game two by a final score of 5-0.

TENNESSEE STATE 7, WESTERN ILLINOIS 3
TENNESSEE STATE 7, WESTERN ILLINOIS 5
MACOMB, Ill. - The Tennessee State softball team extended its winning streak to eight and locked down its fourth OVC season series with 7-3 and 7-5 victories over Western Illinois on Sunday afternoon. 

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 7-3 win against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Sunday.

Castillo (13-3) started in the circle and picked up the win for Tennessee State (19-9, 9-3 OVC). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing no walks and striking out two.

In the batter's box, the Tigers were paced by Woods, who went 1-for-4 on the day with three RBI. Hunt furnished a standout performance as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Spencer also contributed for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding three walks.

The Tigers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Woods drove in two runs for Tennessee State with a single, that scored Duke and Spencer.

The Tigers then held the Leathernecks scoreless before expanding their lead in the third inning. The Tennessee State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Hunt, which brought the score to 6-0 in favor of the Tigers.

Tennessee State kept Western Illinois scoreless before building their lead to 7-0 in the sixth inning. Western Illinois put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Tennessee State still coasted to the 7-3 win.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 7-5 win against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Sunday.

Salcido (4-4) got the win for Tennessee State (20-9, 10-3). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on 11 hits, allowing two walks and striking out three.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Woods came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State and get them on the board.

The Leathernecks then tied the ballgame at one before the Tigers came back to reclaim their advantage in the third inning. The Tennessee State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Hunt, which brought the Tigers lead to 5-1.

Western Illinois narrowed Tennessee State's lead to 5-3 before the Tigers stretched the advantage to 6-3 in the sixth inning.

Tennessee State kept the Leathernecks without a run before their offense got back in action the next inning. Hunt crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Tigers, bringing the score to 7-3 in favor of Tennessee State. Western Illinois put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Tigers still held on for the 7-5 win.