BRIEFLY: OTAHKIANS SPLIT PAIR OF GAMES IN SIU TOURNAMENT

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team posted an easy win and suffered a heartbreaking loss as the Southern Illinois Tournament got under way Friday.

After rolling past Western Kentucky 8-1, Southeast saw Northern Iowa score six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun the Otahkians 9-8.

Renee Mueller and Jennifer Dippel combined on a six-hitter against Western Kentucky. Mueller started and allowed two hits in three shutout innings. Dippel got the win, allowing four hits and one run over the final four innings.

Kelsey White had two of Southeast's eight hits. Brooke Nett drove in two runs.

Against Northern Iowa, the Otahkians led 8-3 before giving up the six-run, seventh-inning rally.

Dippel (3-4), who came on in the seventh, took the loss. She allowed three hits and one earned run. Mueller started and gave up 10 hits and four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Jenny Loehring and Courtney Eklund each had two of the Otahkians' eight hits. Loehring, Eklund and Renee Enos all had two RBIs.

The Otahkians will face Syracuse and host SIU today.