CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — Southeast Missouri State scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie and defeat SIU Edwardsville 5-1 on Saturday afternoon at Capaha Field.

The Redhawks improved to 31-12 overall and 31-12 in all competitions. The Cougars fell to 22-21.

Southeast Missouri State managed only four hits in the game, while SIU Edwardsville collected eight hits. The Redhawks grounded into two double plays.

The pivotal moment came in the bottom of the seventh with the game still scoreless. Southeast Missouri State sent nine batters to the plate and scored all five of its runs on just one hit, taking advantage of four walks, two hit batters and a pitching change.

After a leadoff double by J. Hall and a bunt foul out, SIU Edwardsville starter Spencer Stearns exited after 6 1/3 innings of work. Stearns had pitched brilliantly, allowing no hits and one earned run with one strikeout. The Cougars then turned to reliever Brennen Conn, who issued a walk to D. Joggerst and then another walk to pinch-hitter J. Terranova after a pinch runner for Hall.

Brennen Grams replaced Conn and immediately walked A. Ramirez, forcing in the tying run. Enter Easton Harris, who walked T. Sims to force in a second run. After a strikeout, C. Klein walked to force in a third run. Cal Sullivan then delivered the only hit of the inning, a single to left field that scored two more runs, making it 5-0.

SIU Edwardsville had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth when Ryan Niedzwiedz hit a solo home run to right field. Niedzwiedz finished 2 for 4 with a homer and an RBI. Ethan Willoughby also had two hits, including a double.

Mason Pennington started for Southeast Missouri State and earned the win, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and one earned run while striking out four. Pennington, who entered with a 2-0 record in his previous two appearances, had allowed three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning on April 17 against Tennessee Tech but rebounded with three scoreless innings on April 19.

Matt Wnukowski relieved Pennington and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Caden Kickhaefer added 1 1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief with a strikeout. Jackson Kranawetter closed the ninth with two-thirds of an inning of hitless work.

Stearns took the loss despite his strong outing. Easton Harris allowed one earned run in 1 2/3 innings, and Brennen Grams was charged with an earned run without recording an out.

The Cougars threatened in the first inning when Niedzwiedz singled, but they left him stranded. In the fourth, Heyder doubled and Willoughby singled, but a strikeout and groundout ended the inning. In the fifth, Gierer doubled and advanced to third on a passed ball, but Bloomer grounded out.

The Cougars loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on two hit batters and a single, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Southeast Missouri State’s previous meeting with SIU Edwardsville on Friday resulted in a 10-3 victory for the Redhawks. The two teams conclude their three-game series Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Southeast Missouri State 7, SIU Edwardsville 6. Interstat’s ELO system gave the Redhawks a 65.50 percent probability to win.