By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline softball team picked up their first split of the season with a 4A foe in Chapman, taking game one 7-4 but falling in game two 4-1.
The Lady Irish struck first in the doubleheader opener, taking a 3-run lead in the opening frame, but SES would score seven unanswered runs before Chapman found the board again in the final inning.
The Lady Trojan lineup spread their ten hits out among seven different batters but it was Brielle Ptacek who dealt most of the damage racking up four RBI on three big hits.
After the first inning it was another masterclass for Carly Commerford in the circle as the junior allowed just one more run, struck out nine total batters, and allowed just one free pass in the 7-4 win.
Game two remained a pitcher's duel throughout as neither team could crack the scoreboard through the first three innings. The two traded a run in the fourth but that would be all SES could muster as the Irish struck for two in the fifth and one more in the sixth of an eventual 4-1 victory.
That loss would be the first in the ledger for a Lady Trojan team that will enter the back half of the season at an immaculate 9-1.
With an even-keeled lineup and a dominant pitching staff, SES has outscored their first ten opponents 83-25 for a run differential of +58 to open their season.
The Lady Trojans will be back in action next Tuesday when they travel to Clay Center for a non-league doubleheader before hosting Beloit on Thursday.