Gymnasts capture conference crown

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team capped a dazzling regular season Saturday by winning the Midwest Independent Conference meet in Normal, Ill.

Southeast scored 193.825 points to ease past host Illinois State (192.775). Texas Woman's University was third (192.725), followed by Centenary (191.300) and Illinois-Chicago (190.975).

The Redhawks finished with a 14-3 overall record -- their best under sixth-year coach Tom Farden -- including an 11-0 mark against conference opponents.

"To sweep the conference and have the kind of season we had, I'm just really proud of the kids," Farden said. "The team worked really hard. It's just a great group of kids."

Senior Sandra Blake, among the top gymnasts in program history, finished her final MIC meet with a bang.

Blake won the all-around (39.175) and vault (9.900), while tying for the title on beam (9.775) and finishing second on floor (9.825).

"Sandy had a great meet," Farden said.

Also for the Redhawks, sophomore Brianna Gaddie was third on floor (9.800) and sophomore Christina Sundgren tied for third on bars (9.800).

In addition, junior Rikara Turner was named MIC athlete of the year, while Farden earned his fourth straight MIC coach of the year honor.

Southeast now will await word on a potential second straight NCAA South Central Regional berth. The Redhawks will find out if they made it Monday.

The Redhawks were ranked 36th in the latest national rankings and must remain in the top 36 when the new rankings come out to make the regional field.

"It's going to be tight," Farden said. "You hope for the best. It's out of our hands. We did everything we could."

Softball falls in 10

The Southeast softball team narrowly missed out on a series sweep to begin its Ohio Valley Conference schedule.

After winning both ends of Friday's doubleheader at Morehead State, the Redhawks suffered a 2-1, 10-inning loss Saturday in Morehead, Ky.

Southeast is 11-8 overall. MSU, the 2008 OVC runner-up, is 14-9 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

Reigning OVC pitcher of the year Alex Gjevre and Southeast freshman Giana Zimmerman hooked up in their second classic duel of the series.

Zimmerman got the better of Gjevre during Friday's 1-0 opener, but Gjevre came out on top Saturday.

After neither team scored through the seven regulation innings and the first two extra frames, each squad began the 10th with a runner placed on second base per NCAA softball rules.

Southeast capitalized in the top of the 10th. After sophomore Nicole Troncoso went to second base, she was sacrificed to third and scored on a two-out single by freshman Tiffany Blanco.

MSU's Brittany Scheer went to second to begin the bottom of the 10th and was on third with two outs when freshman Samantha Woodall belted a two-run, walk-off home run.

Zimmerman (6-3) continued her standout pitching despite taking the loss. She allowed six hits in 9 2/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts and two walks, during her eighth complete game of the season.

Gjevre (10-5) gave up five hits in 10 innings. She struck out nine and walked two.

Freshman Renee Kertz went 2-for-4 to lead Southeast's offense.

Southeast returns to action Saturday with an OVC home doubleheader against Tennessee Tech.

The Redhawks have not played a home game yet. Their only two scheduled home contests were wiped out by inclement weather.

-- From staff reports