Southeastern Slows Down Softball in Monday Night Doubleheader

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Lauren West tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout and Southeastern University executed a number of infield hits with efficiency to bring down the Eckerd College softball program on Monday night, 6-1 and 3-0.

West racked up her 15th win of the spring for the Fire (30-15, 6-6 TSC) as she stymied the Tritons (24-23, 9-11 SSC) in game two with eight strikeouts.

Junior Erin Dixson spoiled the no-hit bid early in game two, but numerous hard-hit balls sprayed to different parts of the field didn't carry to open grass with winds minimal on a still night.

Southeastern rattled off five unanswered runs in the opener after splitting open a 1-1 tie that unfolded after the first inning.

Southeastern and Eckerd split a doubleheader back on April 2 and the Fire ended up winning three of the four season matchups this spring.

Game 1 – Southeastern 6, Eckerd 1

The Tritons had a quick answer for Southeastern's opening run scored in the top half of the first inning as Kara Oberer raced home after Kaycie Duncan legged out an infield single in EC's first series of plate appearances.

But Indiana State University transfer Kim Pierce launched her sixth home run in the sixth inning to cap a string of five straight runs by the Fire.

Southeastern was pesky by playing small ball, reaching base with three consecutive bunt singles to set up a three-run fifth frame.

Emily Bryant tossed six strong innings and lowered her season ERA of 0.89 with one unearned run on four hits allowed.

Duncan had two hits and Oberer roped a double off the left-field wall.

Game 2 – Southeastern 3, Eckerd 0

West was backed up by an RBI single by Nicci Hopps up the middle in the top of the second inning and a two-run single that toed the right-field line by Jen Hedrick in the third frame.

West faced just one hitter over the minimum and outdueled EC's Amber Hay, who was coming off a combined 11 innings with a 1.29 ERA with 10 strikeouts against Barry University over the weekend.

Dixson singled sharply to center in the second inning and advanced a base on a rare error by Pierce on the throw back in. But the Tritons couldn't get a runner past second base the rest of the way against West, who induced nine fly outs versus just four on the ground.

Up Next: The Tritons wrap up the home portion of the regular-season schedule tomorrow evening against Webber International University at the Turley Athletic Complex. The doubleheader is set to begin at 5 p.m.