Redhawks softball team hosts Eastern Kentucky

The Southeast Missouri State softball team finally will play some Ohio Valley Conference games at home.

After having their first three OVC series on the road -- and going 5-4 -- the Redhawks (16-15) welcome perennial league powerhouse Eastern Kentucky to town for a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single contest Sunday.

"It's a big series, and we're glad to be playing at home," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said.

The Colonels (13-17, 4-5) were the OVC's preseason favorites after winning both the league regular-season and tournament titles last year. But EKU has started slowly.

Southeast is in fourth place among 10 OVC teams, while EKU is tied for sixth. The top three are Tennessee-Martin (7-2), Samford (9-3) and Jacksonville State (8-3).

"We've got 13 of our last 18 conference games at home, so it's a good chance for us to make a move," Richmond said.

The Redhawks are coming off an impressive showing Wednesday, despite dropping a doubleheader to Southern Illinois. Southeast battled the nation's 24th-ranked squad tough before falling 4-1 and 1-0.

"I feel good about where the team is right now," Richmond said.

Lindsay Pickering leads Southeast offensively with a .378 batting average, followed by freshman Megan McDonald at .337. McDonald, a Cape Girardeau Central High School product, also has two home runs.

Amy Fahnestock has been by far the Redhawks' most consistent pitcher, with a 10-6 record and a 1.87 earned run average. She is scheduled to start the first and third games this weekend.

EKU, second in OVC batting with a .280 average, is led by Adriel Foxley (.412, seven homers, 24 RBIs).

Tennis falls at EIU

The Southeast women's tennis team suffered a 5-2 Ohio Valley Conference loss at Eastern Illinois on Friday.

The Redhawks (5-13, 2-6) won just one match on the court as No. 5 singles player Kimmy Anderson romped 6-0, 6-0.

The Panthers (5-9, 3-4) defaulted at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

Southeast remains in Charleston, Ill., today for a non-conference match with Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne.

The Redhawks will play their final regular-season match Monday, hosting OVC opponent Tennessee-Martin at 2:30 p.m. Lone senior Daniela Garcia will be honored prior to the match.

Singles

1. Sandra Sasidharan (EI) def. Bryce Kristal 4-6, 6-1, 6-4

2. Sarah Freeman (EI) def. Drew Kristal 6-0, 6-4

3. Madina Mambetova (EI) def. Daniela Garcia 6-4, 6-4

4. Jill Wirtz (EI) def. Ashley Hooper 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

5. Kimmy Anderson (SE) def. Audra Koerner 6-0, 6-0

6. Kim Roberts (SE) default victory

Doubles

1. Sasidharan/Mambetova (EI) def. Kristal/Kristal 8-4

2. Freeman/Wirtz (EI) def. Garcia/Hooper 9-7

3. Anderson-Roberts (SE) default victory