ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State sweeps final nonconference doubleheader with 7-2 win and 9-1 win in 2025 home finale.

With just one conference series remaining before the conference tournament the Reddies picked up two wins versus Delta State. The Reddies dominated in game one, scoring seven runs, two of which came off the bat of Raylee Carey. In game two it was much of the same, plating nine runs and going home early with a walk off single by Justine Burch.

HSU played the patient game in game one, drawing five walks and after scoring just one run through the first four innings the offense exploded in the fifth, plating six in the inning.

The Lady Statesmen drew first blood in game one with a double steal, but the Reddies responded swiftly. The solo run in the fourth came off the bat of Mackenzie Williams which scored Carey.

The fifth inning is where the Reddies came out in full force. Brooke Johnson started the scoring in the inning, reaching on a fielder's choice with bases loaded and scoring Burch. With the bases still loaded Carey drove in two with a single up the middle, scoring Josie Copeland and Macy Hoskins.

Penelope Foote later advanced to second on a wild pitch while Addison Tidwell advanced to third and Janasia Jones scored. Mackenzie Williams added on to the party with a single to the pitcher, beating out the throw and scoring Tidwell. Burch added the final run with a single to center, scoring Foote.

Makenna Keeton (8-7) and Presley Applegate combined to hold the Lady Statesmen offense to just two runs on 12 hits. Keeton went five innings, allowing just six hits and two walks while Applegate went two innings and struck out two batters.

In game two the Reddies came out hot, scoring five runs in the first two innings of play. As a team the Reddies batted over .500, going 14-26, Akers went 3-4 in the second game of the day with three runs and four RBIs. Akers launched a two-run homerun in the second inning to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Reddies continued the onslaught of the Lady Statesmen pitching, scoring three runs in the fifth inning to close the 2025 season out at Dee White Field with a victory.

With the two wins Henderson State claimed its first .500 or better season in softball since 2018 and Joel Worthington claimed a .500 or better record in his first season at the helm.

The Reddies look to earn their way into the GAC tournament with the final series of the year being at East Central. An HSU series win versus the Tigers would nearly secure a postseason berth for the second consecutive year.