EKU rips Otahkians to finish off sweep

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team finished off a dismal opening weekend of Ohio Valley Conference play Sunday afternoon.

Eastern Kentucky completed a three-game sweep of the Otahkians by rolling to a 7-1 victory at the Southeast Softball Complex.

The Colonels, who had posted a pair of one-run victories Saturday, improved to 15-7 overall and 3-0 in OVC play. The Otahkians fell to 3-13 and 0-3.

"Our pitching just got hammered today," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said. "EKU did what they had to do and was clicking on all cylinders, pitching, hitting and fielding."

Jonelle Csora (9-4) posted her second win in the series, scattering seven hits and striking out six while walking none over the seven-inning distance.

"Csora seemed to get stronger after her team gave her some run support," Richmond said.

Southeast starter Kristen King (0-5) allowed seven hits and five runs in three innings, although just one of the runs was earned. Kelly Birk, the second of three Otahkian hurlers, worked three scoreless innings.

Eastern, which took the lead for good with a five-run third inning, had 12 hits. Elise Burch went 4-for-4 and drove in two runs. Jennifer Norris and Bethany Herrington each added two hits and two RBIs.

For Southeast, Katie Cerneka had two hits, including her first career home run, a solo shot in the second inning that gave the Otahkians a 1-0 lead.

The Otahkians will play a none-conference doubleheader at Southwest Missouri State Tuesday.

Godwin leads gymnasts

Sophomore Ashley Godwin's sensational performance helped lead Southeast's gymnasts to a third-place finish in Saturday's five-team Midwest Independent Championship meet hosted by Illinois-Chicago.

Illinois-Chicago won with a school-record score of 196.025, followed by Illinois State (194.775), Southeast (193.875), Centenary (193.200) and Winona State (190.075). The Otahkians' score was their best of the season.

Godwin finished second in the all-around (39.275), her career-best score and also the third-best score in school history. She also tied for first in the beam (9.900), which is the second-best score in school history. In addition, Godwin placed third on the vault (9.750) as she earned all-conference honors.

Southeast's Amy Cole finished fourth in the all-around with her career-best score (38.925).

Saturday's meet was the final one of the regular season for the Otahkians. They will find out today if any individuals qualified for regional competition that will be held April 6 at Arizona State. Godwin, Cole and Michelle Walker all have solid chances of qualifying.

--From staff reports