The winning ways of SEMO softball continued this weekend as the Redhawks swept Eastern Illinois, 13-1, 7-6 and 8-0, continuing SEMO’s winning streak to six games.

In the first game the offense set the tone for the series, scoring 13 runs including home runs from sophomore outfielder Paige Haillwill, freshman infielder Aubrie Shore and sophomore infielder Kynzie Wrigley.

Coach Mark Redburn believed the great play from the first game was crucial for the entire series.

“EIU’s a really good team and I think we kind of came out and set the tone early in that first game,” Redburn said.

The second game, the first of a double-header on Sunday, proved to be the most dramatic of the series. The Redhawks jumped out to a 5-0 through three innings, in the next innings EIU would put some runs on the board to keep them in the game and eventually tie the game in the top of the seventh inning.

With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Redhawks needed to make a move towards a win. The move would come when Kynzie Wrigley hit a single and was able to advance to third base due to an error by the left fielder.

With the victory in sight, sophomore infielder Abigail Rickermann hit a fly ball to center field allowing Wrigley to advance and score the winning run. The advance did not result in a hit for her, Rickermann said she was more concerned about getting a run for the Redhawks.

“Throughout the at-bat I was just trying to think of ways to get our runner in, whether it was a sac fly or a ball up the middle,” Rickermann said.

The last game of the doubleheader was less dramatic, due in part to a shutout from junior pitcher Marisa Davis. Davis had a positive yet simple reflection on her performance.

“I just kind of hit my spots and got it to work this game,” Davis said.

SEMO faces a big challenge this Tuesday as they head to Fayetteville, Arkansas for a double header against SEC member the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Razorbacks are currently ranked seventeenth in the country.

Coach Redburn embraces the competition versus a nationally ranked team.

“You want to play really good competition because you know at the end of the day it’s gonna make you better,” Redburn said.

Rickermann said SEMO is ready for the challenge Arkansas presents.

“They are a really good team, but we’re not going in scared, we’re going to do everything we can,” Rickermann said.