Grossmann, Rager lead Eagles to sweep of Southeast Missouri

MOR 6, SEMO 1 - Box Score | Box Score (PDF) MOR 1, SEMO 0 - Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

MOREHEAD, Ky. -  Mackenzie Grossmann and Allison Rager both pitched complete game victories as Morehead State softball swept Southeast Missouri on Sunday afternoon. They won the first game 6-1 and the second game 1-0.

With the sweep, the Eagles have won three straight and move to 23-21 overall and 10-9 in league play. SEMO falls to 13-30 and 7-14 in the OVC.

"Our players stepped up when they needed to today and we had two strong pitching performances," said head coach David Williams. "In the first game, we got some big two-out hits to produce some runs and then in game two, we got the big home run from Karly Thompson when we needed it."

In game one, the Eagles got on the board early as Robyn Leighton delivered a two-out single up the middle to score Kayla McGuffey and give MSU a 1-0 lead.

After Southeast Missouri tied it in the second, Morehead State put up four runs in the third inning.

Dana Hutchins got the inning started with a solo home run to centerfield and then Hannah Murphy delivered a two-out single to score Leighton. The Eagles then took advantage of two Redhawks' errors to add two more in the third and build a 5-1 lead.

Lizzy Margagliotti then added a two-out single in the sixth to score Thompson and provide the final margin.

Grossmann (8-13) pitched seven strong innings and allowed seven hits and just one run, while walking one and striking out six.

Hutchins finished 2-for-4 with a home run. The homer was her third of the season.

In the second game, Rager and SEMO's Haley Thogmartin pitched scoreless softball through the first four innings.

After Rager sat down the Redhawks in order in the top of the fifth, Thompson greeted Thogmartin with a solo home run to left field to start the bottom of the fifth, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Rager then pitched out of a one-out jam in the sixth and sat Southeast Missouri down in order in the seventh to secure the win.

Rager (12-5) picked up the win and recorded her second straight shutout and fourth of the season. She allowed four hits and five walks, while striking out three.

Thompson's home run was her team-leading eighth of the season.

The Eagles did not commit an error in either game, turned multiple double plays, and consistently made plays to help their pitchers get out of jams.

"Our defense has really progressed throughout the whole year," said Williams. "This weekend they really stepped up and helped us get out of situations. We made some really big plays including a couple double plays that helped us get out of innings."

In a short turnaround, Morehead State hits the road to play at Wright State on Tuesday night, marking their last non-conference games of the season. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. ET.