FAYETTE, Mo. - The 2026 IU Southeast softball season came to an end after an 8-7 to No. 3 Central Methodist in game four of the Fayette, Mo., bracket.
After struggling at the plate in their first opening round game, IU Southeast got the bats going early. Josie Lemmons hit a leadoff single, then advanced to third after a single by Sofia Guy. Lemmons would score after stealing home to go up 1-0 early. Guy also stole second during the play, then scored after a double by Savannah Gaither.
Alaina Winzeler and Chloee Shewmaker hit back-to-back singles to open the second. Winzeler would score to make it 3-0 after Lemmons grounded out, and McKenzie Walters flew out. The Eagles battled back in the bottom of the second, plating two runs to cut the Grenadiers' lead to one.
IU Southeast responded with three runs in the third, starting with a single by Gaither. Stapleton reached via a well-placed bunt. With two on and no outs, Kaitlyn Leister emptied the bases with a three-run home run to put the Grenadiers up 6-2.
Central Methodist got one back in the bottom of the third, then took the lead in the fourth. The Eagles hit three singles, then emptied the bases with a grand slam. The score remained 7-6 until the top of the seventh.
With the bases empty and two outs, Guy tied the game with a solo home run to center field. Despite the game-tying homer from Guy, the Eagles would walk it off in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI double.
The Grenadiers finished the game with seven runs on ten hits. Guy, Gaither, and Leister led the team with two hits each.
Coach Courtney Holm's team finishes the 2026 season with a record of 29-23.
