DEPAUL ENDS OTAHKIANS' SEASON AT NCAA PLAY-IN

CHICAGO -- For the second straight season, Southeast Missouri State University's softball team advanced to the NCAA Play-In game.

And for the second straight year, Southeast's offense fell short in its quest to join the NCAA Tournament.

In its best-of-three series against Mid-Continent Conference champion DePaul at Wish Field, Southeast lost both games of a doubleheader and ended its season at 33-23-1. The Otahkians dropped the opener 9-1 and nightcap 5-3.

Last season, Southeast lost 3-0 and 1-0 against Troy State in the Play-In game.

On Thursday, Southeast had only two hits in the first game and five in the second.

The heart of Southeast's lineup -- the Nos. 3, 4, and 5 hitters -- went a combined 0 for 16 in the two games.

"DePaul produced at the plate when they had to and we didn't," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond.

DePaul (37-13) scored in every inning except the fourth and totaled 11 hits in the opener. The game was stopped in the sixth inning.

Both of Southeast's hits and its lone run came in the third. Jenny Oermann doubled to score Anne Wilson.

Debbie Schmelz started the game for Southeast but lasted only one inning and took the loss. Sara Reichert closed out the game.

In the nightcap, Southeast led 3-0 entering the fifth inning. But DePaul scored four runs in the fifth and added one in the seventh for insurance, while the Otahkians were held scoreless in the final three frames.

Southeast threatened in the sixth as two runners got on, but both were stranded.

Christine Engelhardt started for Southeast and lasted four innings. Schmelz (13-11) entered the game in the fifth and took the loss.

Wilson and Erin Frazier both went 2-for-3.

Southeast started the season 2-12 before turning things around and winning its second straight OVC Tournament title. And the Otahkians are young -- the starting lineups Thursday featured no seniors.