Otahk softball drops pair in Kentucky tournament

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team lost twice Sunday to finish fourth in the season-opening Western Kentucky Hilltopper Spring Classic in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Otahkians (1-3), who split two tournament games on Saturday, lost to Illinois State 9-7 and Belmont 6-3.

Southeast had eight hits against Illinois State, led by Alana Bagby-Leonard, Suzi Lair and Jamie Birk with two each. Bagby-Leonard and Birk both homered, with Birk driving in four runs. Amy Fahnestock was the losing pitcher.

Against Belmont, Melissa Van Velkinburgh had three of Southeast's 11 hits. Bagby-Leonard and Lindsay Pickering added two apiece. Kelly Birk was the losing hurler, allowing one earned run.

The Otahkians were hurt by three errors in each game Sunday, allowing 10 unearned runs.

Pickering, a freshman, made the all-tournament team.

Track ends season

Southeast's track program finished its indoor season over the weekend as several athletes competed at the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. No team scores were kept.

Heather Jenkins placed second in the weight throw as she once again broke her school and Ohio Valley Conference record with a distance of 62 feet, 4 inches. Megan Youse was fifth in the same event (53-2 1/4).

Jay Heddell was third in the shot put (55-11), Daniel Jones was fifth in the weight throw (53-6 1/4) and Lyndsey Stevenson placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles (8.73 seconds).

Tennis falls to 0-9

Southeast's tennis team fell to 0-9 on Sunday as visiting Arkansas State (3-5) posted a 6-1 victory.

The Otahkians' lone victory came at No. 6 singles as Becky Prendergast was awarded a win by default.

Southeast will host Southwest Baptist at 1 p.m. Friday.

--From staff reports