OTAHK SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH EASTERN ILLINOIS

After beating Eastern Illinois 6-1 in the opener, the softball Otahkians settled for a split with a 5-1 loss in extra innings in the nightcap of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader.

In the first game, Southeast (17-20, 9-6) scored six runs in the fifth inning to go up 6-0. Eastern Illinois (20-27, 10-2) added a run in the seventh.

Southeast catcher Renee Enos and designated hitter Cari Cook each provided two hits. Enos also had two runs batted in.

Jenny Doehring went the distance, throwing a three-hitter. She allowed one earned run while walking one and striking out two.

Kristin Becker suffered the loss for Eastern Illinois. She went six innings and gave up six earned runs on 12 hits, no walks and five strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Eastern and Southeast were tied at 1 going into the ninth, but the Lady Panthers scored four in the top of the ninth to pull out the victory.

Renee Meuller pitched eight solid innings for the Otahkians but took the loss. She gave up three runs, all earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out three.

Becker got the win for Eastern in relief. She pitched three no-hit innings. She walked two and struck out three.

The top two batters in Eastern's lineup were Otahkian killers. Julie Fonda, the leadoff hitter, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Adrienne Noll had two hits and another RBI.