Southeast Missouri State's softball team had a historic weekend as it picked up its 1,000th win during a series sweep of Ohio Valley Conference opponent Tennessee State. The sweep moved them to fourth overall in OVC rankings.

After losing the finale of their doubleheader the day before against Belmont 2-1, offense was the last of Southeast’s concern as they managed to score early and often, putting up at least a run in every inning besides the second and fifth.

Senior first baseman Savannah Carpenter kept up her hitting ways with a fielder’s choice pop fly in the first inning to score sophomore right fielder Claire Werning, followed by a solo home run in the third, which tied the game 2-2.

Southeast’s defense and pitching from freshman right hander Haley Thogmartin gave up two runs on five innings pitched and was relieved by junior Mackenzie Hoetling.

The first game ended with a Southeast victory of 7-2.

Game two of the series consisted of an early offensive attack by Southeast as they put up multiple runs in three consecutive innings. The attack began with three consecutive hits by Southeast players before Carpenter brought in the first run with a fielder’s choice bunt.

Southeast’s consistent defense left runners stranded in all five innings for Tennessee State. Southeast was able to bring the score to 9-0 at the end of five.

This advantage led to the use of the “mercy rule,” where the game ends after five innings if either team is down by eight or more runs.

For the doubleheader, Werning had one RBI, junior second baseman Harli Wheeler had two, Carpenter had three, freshman designated hitter Brittany Stevens had two and sophomore left fielder Darby Pruett had one.

With contributions coming from a variety of Southeast players experienced and young, the overall chemistry and flexible mentality of the team was demonstrated.

“The biggest thing is to try to keep everything in perspective and keep doing what we’re doing,” coach Mark Redburn said. “I think we are again still trying to find that group that plays the best together and not having to depend on one or two [individuals] … we haven’t had to do that, so we have been able to spread it out a little bit, and that’s something that we want to keep doing and make our mark in the conference.”

In addition to applauding the team for its efforts this weekend, Redburn said winning is fun and the feeling that comes from winning — regardless of who they are playing — is essential, as long as the effort is completely a team one.

Up next for Southeast is a weekend trip to Edwardsville where they will face conference opponent Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in a doubleheader on Saturday and a series finale on Sunday before returning home to face Arkansas for a doubleheader at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Southeast Softball Complex.