Otahk softball to honor seniors today

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team won't conclude its home schedule today, but the Otahkians will honor their four seniors as Tennessee-Martin visits the Southeast Softball Complex for a 1 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader.

The Otahkians' seniors are Brooke Nett, Katie Cerneka, Alicia Loucks and Kemi Rampi. Nett, a four-year starter, is Southeast's second-leading hitter and she also ranks among the OVC's top 10 with a .317 batting average.

Sophomore Kelly Birk is the leading hitter for the Otahkians at .333.

Southeast (12-23, 8-6) is tied for third place in the eight-team OVC, with Tennessee-Martin (20-24, 11-6) in second place. The squads will close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday in Martin, Tenn., and a strong showing this weekend by the Otahkians would solidify their hopes of a second-place finish.

"This is a really big series for us," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said.

Tennessee Tech (34-13, 13-2) has all but wrapped up the regular-season title.

Following this weekend's action, the Otahkians play their final home games Tuesday when St. Louis University visits for a 4 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.

Tennis falls in tourney

Southeast, seeded seventh, lost to second-seeded Murray State 4-0 Friday in the first round of the OVC women's tennis tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

After MSU (11-10) captured the doubles point by winning two matches, the final doubles match was not completed. Then, after the Racers won three singles matches to clinch the victory, the other three singles contests were not completed. Southeast won just nine games in five matches.

The Otahkians (3-10) will play sixth-seeded Tennessee-Martin today in a consolation match.

--From staff reports