The Morehead State softball team lost to Southeast Missouri 12-3 in six innings on April 27, with a two-run home run by junior second baseman Sage VanDemark serving as the highlight for the Eagles. The game was played at University Field at Prefontaine Park in Morehead.
The result leaves Morehead State with a record of 7-35 overall and 6-18 in conference play. Head coach Megan Griffith said, “We did a few good things today, and I was pleased with the play of a few players, but that was about it. It wasn’t our best effort.”
Southeast Missouri started strong with a three-run home run from Raigan Brannon in the first inning. The Eagles had several opportunities to score early, including singles from Noemye Letendre and Cheyenne Christman in the second inning and multiple hits in subsequent innings, but were unable to capitalize until later.
Defensively, VanDemark turned an unassisted double play in the third inning after catching a line drive and throwing out a runner at first base. In the fourth inning, bases were loaded for Morehead State after VanDemark reached on an error and Nyla Doiron and Maddy Christopher singled; Jordan Donato walked to bring VanDemark home for one of the team’s runs.
Southeast Missouri expanded its lead late in the game by scoring seven runs on seven hits during the sixth inning. In response, freshman shortstop Kylie Mann singled before VanDemark hit her two-run homer over left field. Despite further attempts by Donato and Pickford later that inning, no additional runs were scored before the game ended due to run-rule conditions.
Eight different Eagles recorded hits during Monday’s contest; Christopher led with two hits while Donato contributed an RBI and drew two walks. For Southeast Missouri, Kamden Hutton went 3-for-4 with three runs scored while Brannon finished with five RBIs.
Morehead State will conclude its regular season next weekend needing a sweep against Lindenwood to secure a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
