'Hawks host front-running Bulldogs in crucial series

Whether or not Southeast Missouri State's softball team has a chance to win the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title won't officially be decided this weekend.

But the home series with first-place Samford (20-17, 12-3) will certainly go a long way toward determining whether the Redhawks (20-16, 8-4) are legitimate contenders. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday.

"It's a big, key weekend for us," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said.

The Redhawks are in fourth place in the 10-team OVC, but they are just one game out of second place and only one game in the loss column behind Samford. Success this weekend could mean Southeast will contend for the championship until the very end.

"There will be a lot of softball left, but this is a time for us to step up and challenge for the title," Richmond said.

Despite leading the OVC, the Bulldogs from Birmingham, Ala., carry only a .214 batting average, although they are hitting .251 in league play.

Offense has been a strength for the Redhawks so far as they are hitting .272 overall, including .281 in conference games.

Freshman Megan McDonald from Central High School has been on a tear, batting .381, including .485 in league play with a .909 slugging percentage.

Also above .300 for the Redhawks are sophomore Lindsay Pickering (.340), senior Kelly Birk (.320) and freshman Michelle Summers (.308, eight homers). Birk is at .393 in OVC play, while Summers is at .357.

"I think we're hitting well. That's what's important right now," Birk said. "It's a big series and we're excited."

Track in Mississippi

After excelling during last weekend's Mississippi Invitational, Southeast's track teams will be back in the state today for the Mississippi State Invitational.

Southeast's men won the title in Mississippi, led by Miles Smith, who posted the nation's fastest 400-meter time so far (45.95 seconds).

"We hope to compete for the men's team title again this week," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.