Box Score

MONROE – Kelee Grimes struck out 11 and Tara McKenney registered a multi-hit game, but it wasn't enough for the Northwestern State softball team to overcome a very strong pitching performance from Southeast Missouri State and fell 3-1 in the first of two games Sunday at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic.

 

Grimes (1-1) let up two hits in five innings and surrendered just one earned run, but the NSU (1-3) bats were quieted by SEMO (4-1) pitcher Alora Marble (2-1) who threw a complete game.

 

McKenney finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of singles to lead the NSU offense. Kylie Roos, Jordan Palmer and Brittany Virgoe all tallied base-hits as well. Virgoe has reached base safely in all four games, with hits in three of them.

 

Brooke Boening pitched two innings of relief, giving up just one run and striking out a pair.

 

The Redhawks got on the board in the 1st inning on a single and two errors. Grimes struck out four batters, but one hit the dirt and the Lady Demons misfired on the throw to first base which led to an unearned run – 1-0 SEMO.

 

The Redhawks tacked on another in the 3rd when their leadoff hitter, Cheyenne Gipson, walked and stole two bases. She then got batted in on a double – 2-0 SEMO.

 

In the bottom half of the inning, Blair Beard and Cali Burke both stayed patient and reached base on walks. Virgoe then ripped a RBI single through the right side, bringing home Beard to cut the lead in half – 2-1 SEMO.

 

SEMO added to its lead in the 6th when three singles brought home a run – 3-1 SEMO.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, NSU showed a glimpse of hope when Palmer knocked a two out single, but Marble was able to get the next batter to groundout to seal the win.

 

The Lady Demons will conclude the ULM Mardi Gras Classic with a 3 p.m. matchup against Grambling State.