Softball wins eighth in a row over Southern Illinois

In a game of redemption, Redhawks softball defeated Southern Illinois 5-0 on Wednesday, March 31 at the Southeast Softball Complex. The last time these two teams faced off was the last time the Redhawks lost on March 16 with SIU taking home the victory.

The difference this time, in the eyes of coach Mark Redburn, was Southeast’s hitting.

“We came out swinging and had some good, hard hit balls,” Redburn said. “We had multiple players that were there getting the job done offensively.”

Leading the Redhawks was freshman infielder Katie Dreiling, as she went 3-4 on the day, driving in one run. Behind her were six other Southeast players who added in a hit each.

Included in those six players was senior outfielder, Rachel Anderson, who broke the all-time record for runs at Southeast as she crossed home plate in the first inning.

Redburn, who has coached Anderson all four of her years here, had high praise for Anderson.

“She will be the best all-time SEMO softball player in history,” Redburn said. “She's broken multiple career records here, now she’s an All-American, and she's a great student and teammate. We would not be where we are today as a program without her contributions.”

The Redhawks have now won eight in a row, and junior pitcher Rachel Rook said playing a hard-nosed non-conference schedule before conference play helped her team out.

“I think preseason was kind of tough for everybody. I think all but one or two of the teams we played in those first three weekends are now in the top 25 in the RPI rankings,” Rook said. “We all learned how to play at a higher level, and it put us in a really good spot.”

Rook went the distance, tossing a two-hit shutout, striking out nine batters and securing her 10th win of the season.

Rook said her team’s high success lately has been due to them doing the right things in practice, doing the right things before the game, and preparing well.

Southeast is hoping to continue their winning streak as they take on Eastern Illinois on April 2 and 3 in a three-game series at home.

The Redhawks are first in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 11-1 conference record and a 15-10 record overall.