By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After dismantling Smoky Valley on opening day, the Southeast of Saline softball team returned to Gypsum to open the home and league portions of their schedule and picked up right where they left off in a dominant sweep of Republic County.
With wins of 17-2 and 15-0, the Lady Trojans advance to 4-0, having won every game of their season by mercy rule, while the Lady Buffs fall to 2-4.
Game one of this doubleheader was over shortly after it began, as SES took a two-run lead into the second inning before putting up a 14-spot and slamming the door shut in a three-inning 17-2 win.
Of the nine batters in the lineup, four would record multi-hit days, and at the top of the order, Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, and Brielle Ptacek combined to tally seven of the team’s ten RBI.
It was another gem in the circle for Bryna Baird and Carly Commerford, who combined to fan five, allowing just two runs on four hits, and a lone walk.
Immaculate pitching continued for the Lady Trojans in game two as Lexi Jacobson was handed the start and delivered a beauty, completing a no-hitter and allowing just two total runners to reach while recording six strikeouts.
Jacobson’s teammates provided another flurry of run support as Southeast struck for six in the first, one in the second, five in the third, and three in the fourth to put the final nail in the Republic County coffin.
While four different players recorded yet another multi-RBI game, the spotlight was stolen by Chase Gilpin, who drove in four runs on two hits, crossing the plate to contribute a fifth.
SES has now outscored their first four opponents 75-7 and is off to a roaring start in league play, joining Beloit as the only other undefeated team in the NCAA.
The Lady Trojans will continue their advance at home on Thursday when they welcome in the Cowgirls of Abilene at 3:30.
For continuing coverage of Southeast softball all season long stay tuned to the Salina Post.