EIU ELIMINATES OTAHKIANS

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team made its earliest-ever exit from the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Saturday as fourth-seeded Eastern Illinois posted a 1-0 upset victory.

The second-seeded Otahkians were eliminated after going 1-2 in the tourney. They allowed only three runs in the three games but managed to score just once.

Southeast finishes the season with a 25-25 overall record, marking the first non-winning campaign in coach Lana Richmond's 19 years as head coach.

Eastern Illinois (15-33) scored the game's only run -- an unearned tally -- in the second inning.

Winning pitcher Kristin Becker (12-15) allowed three hits and no walks while striking out two in going the seven-inning distance.

Losing hurler Jenny Doehring (15-10), the OVC Player of the Year, also went the distance and she allowed just one hit while fanning five and walking one in six innings.

Southeast's Brooke Nett was hit by a pitch twice as she extended her single-season and career records in that department. Nett, a sophomore, was hit 14 times this year, giving her 21 for her career.

Eastern Illinois was eliminated later in the day. Top-seeded Tennessee Tech and third-seeded Eastern Kentucky, who both wound up Saturday's action with one loss, will square off today for the championship.