By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
With their fourth league doubleheader sweep of the season, the Southeast of Saline softball team can officially cross the first order of business off of their list, as the Lady Trojans have claimed at the very least, a share of this year’s NCAA title.
Thanks to run-rule-shortened victories of 16-1 and 11-1, the Lady Trojans now sit at 16-2 overall, and 9-1 in league play, with only Beloit, a team SES split with earlier this season, capable of evening their record.
The Orange Trojans have one final set with 2-4 Republic County on Friday, with a sweep ensuring them the title of co-league champions, and anything less ensuring that Southeast stands alone at the top.
Once again, SES looked untouchable on Tuesday, allowing just six hits across their doubleheader to extend their win streak to five.
Southeast started strong, scoring four runs in the first, and ten in the second before tacking on a singular score in the third and fourth to cruise to a 16-1 win
It was another dominant effort in the circle for Bryna Baird, who allowed just one run on one hit while striking out six.
As for the Lady Trojan lineup, most of their damage came from the middle of their order, as the three through eight spots accounted for nine hits, and all 12 runs driven in on the day.
Game two was more of a contest early as Southeast plated just two in the first, and one in the second and third before exploding for a seven-run fourth to put this game to bed.
Once again, Ellsworth mustered a single run, this time in the fifth, but it was far too little far too late as the Lady Trojans completed the sweep in an 11-1 effort.
At the dish, Chase Gilpin, Bryna Baird, and Lexi Jacobson all recorded multi-RBI games in the nightcap, with the third member of that trio helping her own cause in the circle as well.
Jacobson tossed five innings of one-run ball, allowing just five hits, refusing to issue a single walk, and recording five strikeouts.
The Lady Trojans will return to Gypsum for their regular season finale this Thursday when they host a former league foe in Russell.