By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Southeast of Saline softball team took one more step toward another consecutive league title on Tuesday as they swept the Ellsworth Lady Bearcats in Gypsum.
Game One: SE of Saline 5, Ellsworth 1
Southeast of Saline would actually be outhit in both games of this doubleheader, but solid pitching and aggressive baserunning would win the day for the Lady Trojans.
Despite collecting just three hits, SES would strike for a run in the first, three in the second, and one more in the sixth, muting the Bearcat bats for the final six innings of play.
That good work in the circle was done by Carlee Dye, whose lone run allowed was not earned, and who struck out two alongside a zero-walk outing.
Ashley Whelchel had two of Southeast’s three RBIs on the day, a critical performance in a slow outing for the offense.
Game Two: SE of Saline 11, Ellsworth 3
Fortunately for the Lady Trojans, the bats came alive in the nightcap, plating two runs in the first, one in the second and third, four in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one more in the sixth.
Ellsworth managed a run in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, but it was too little, too late as Southeast secured the sweep.
At the plate, Abby Wyatt was the only bat to record a multi-hit day as the Lady Bearcats actually outhit SES 9-7, but when it mattered most, the Southeast staff knuckled down and stranded critical runners.
Karlee Zurfluh, Hannah Thiel, and Riley Donnelly combined to toss seven innings, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits, striking out nine and walking just two.
With this win, Southeast remains on the path to a league title at 17-3 overall and 6-0 in league play while Ellsworth falls to 0-10 in the NCAA.
Updated NCAA Standings
1. SE of Saline (8-0)
2. Minneapolis (10-2)
3. Beloit (4-2)
4. Republic County (4-4)
5. Lyons (3-7)
6. Sacred Heart (3-7)
7. Ellsworth (0-10)
The Lady Trojans will conclude their campaign with back-to-back league sets against Lyons and Beloit.