DURANT, Okla. — A big lead did not hold up for Henderson State on Saturday, as Southeastern Oklahoma State used six unanswered runs to rally and defeat the Reddies 8-7 in the series opener at Mike Metheny Field.

Daniel Colasanto and Danny Mitchell Jr. each had two hits to lead HSU, while Nick Butler had a grand slam in the fourth inning to drive in four runs. The homer was the first of Butler's career at Henderson.

Starter Spencer Taack got a no-decision after hurling 4.1 innings and giving up seven runs on seven hits. Taack struck out five batters and walked three. Taylor Langston took a tough-luck loss after pitching the final inning for the Reddies and allowing the game-winning run, which came unearned for SOSU due to an error. The senior surrendered two hits and struck out two.

The Savage Storm struck first on a two-RBI single in the first inning, but HSU came roaring back in the fourth. The Reddies got two walks and two singles to plate a run, then had the bases cleared by Butler, who hammered a pitch over the wall in left-center to give Henderson a 5-2 advantage. 

The Reddies got two more runs in the fifth on a two-RBI single from Josh Aguilar, but it was Southeastern's turn to flip the script in the bottom half of the inning. Down 7-2, SOSU used a home run, three doubles, a single, and three walks plate five runs and tie the game, 7-7.

After going in order in the sixth and seventh, Henderson had a base-runner thrown out at third in the eighth to stall its momentum. The Savage Storm took advantage during their turn to bat and used two singles, as well as a Reddies fielding error in the outfield, to score the go-ahead run and take an 8-7 lead.

HSU got the tying run on after a hit to open the ninth inning, but the runner was picked off on the base path to eliminate the threat and Southeastern closed it out to win the series opener.

Southeastern Oklahoma had four extra-base hits in the game — all of which came in the fifth. The Reddies were 14-1 when leading after four innings prior to today's contest.

Henderson will look to bounce back and win the road series tomorrow at 1 p.m. when it meets SOSU in a doubleheader to close out the three-game weekend set.