By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline softball team ran into their first real hurdle on Monday, but stood tall to secure a split with Clay Center, maintaining their momentum at the midway mark of their campaign.
Following a 5-1 loss, their first of the year, and a 12-5 win, the Lady Trojans move to 11-1 on the season, further improving their run differential of +135.
Game one was a delayed pitcher's duel as all six runs were scored in the first two innings, with the Lady Tigers jumping out to the early lead thanks to a five-run first.
After taking over for Bryna Baird in the third, Lexi Jacobson didn’t allow a single run, surrendering just three hits and one walk while fanning three batters in the final five innings. Unfortunately for the junior, a lack of run support would see Southeast fall for the first time in 2023 by a final score of 5-1.
Clay Center would get off to another strong start in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first, but their lead would be short-lived as the Lady Trojans evened the score with three of their own in the second.
From there, SES poured it on with a six-run fourth inning, taking a 9-3 lead and never looking back en route to a 12-5 victory.
After her stellar finish to the opener, Jacobson was given the start in game two and picked up right where she left off, striking out five and walking just three in another Southeast win.
Offensively, the bats woke up all throughout the lineup, as four different Lady Trojans recorded two RBI, led by Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, Savannah Sutton, and Bryna Baird.
Southeast of Saline will have the most pivotal doubleheader of their season this Thursday when the Lady Trojans travel to Beloit for a pair of games that could very well decide this year’s NCAA champ.
For continuing coverage of SES softball all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.