LATE HOMER LIFTS OTAHKS TO SWEEP OF AUSTIN PEAY

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's softball team needed seventh-inning heroics, but emerged with a sweep of Austin Peay Saturday to remain atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

Chris Shetley's one-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning of game two lifted Southeast to a 3-1 victory. Earlier, the Otahkians had defeated the Lady Govs 7-1.

Southeast improved to 25-16 overall and 19-4 in the OVC.

The home run capped a three-run seventh for Southeast and was Shetley's OVC-leading fifth of the season. Leanne Gryncewicz preceded Shetley with a game-tying single.

Austin Peay had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a leadoff home run. The hit was just one of two off Otahk pitcher Chrstine Engelhardt. She struck out three and walked one.

Austin Peay also led 1-0 in the first game, but Southeast scored two runs in the third and single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for a 5-1 lead.

Jenny Oermann, Kim Palmer and Tami Hebert all had two hits for Southeast, which had nine overall. Kendra Williams finished with two RBIs.

Sara Reichert recorded the win, allowing nine hits, striking out five and walking nobody.

Wireless tower built at Patton

Southwestern Bell Wireless has installed a new tower at Patton Junction, improving cellular services between Jackson and Fredericktown along Highway 72.

The tower is the 11th new cellular tower activated by Southwestern Bell Wireless since Jan. 1.

The company also has announced the addition of Arkansas to its expanded home coverage area.