OTAHKIANS FINISH OFF HOME SCHEDULE IN STYLE

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team won't get to host the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament this year, but the Otahkians moved within one victory of an impressive accomplishment by defeating visiting Morehead State 6-4 Sunday afternoon.

A win Tuesday at Austin Peay would give the Otahkians a share of the OVC regular-season title, which would be their sixth league championship in the past seven years.

After having their string of five consecutive conference crowns snapped last year, being back on top -- even if they do have to share -- would allow the Otahkians to attain one of their preseason goals.

"That was our goal, to be (OVC) champions," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond. "Even if we have to be co-champions, to win six (titles) in seven years is a nice accomplishment.

"We still have to beat Austin Peay (in the regular-season finale), and then I feel good about our chances going into the OVC Tournament. I think we're playing well right now."

By sweeping a three-game series from Morehead State in their final home action of the season, the Otahkians stretched their winning streak to five. They are 24-22 overall and 16-4 in OVC play.

Tennessee Tech concluded its league schedule Sunday with a 17-4 record by beating Tennessee-Martin, so the Golden Eaglettes have clinched at least a tie for the title and they will host this weekend's OVC Tournament based on winning the season series from Southeast two games to win.

"I think our chances (of winning the OVC tourney) are really good," said Southeast senior catcher Renee Enos. "I have no doubt we can do it."

Enos gave Richmond and everybody associated with the Southeast program a scare in the third inning when she injured a knee during a big collision at the plate with Morehead's Vanessa Higgins, who tried to score on a double-steal play.

In obvious pain, Enos was down for several minutes before walking off the field on her own power. She did not return to the game behind the plate but she did continue to bat.

A four-year starter who is the Otahkians' leading hitter at nearly .400 and also a top candidate for OVC Player of the Year honors, Enos was playing in front of her family, which made the trip all the way from Bakersfield, Calif., on Senior Day at Southeast.

"It's not what I wanted to happen in my last home game," said a smiling Enos, who was icing the knee after the contest. "I'm not sure what's wrong with it but I hope it's nothing serious."

The Otahkians got another solid pitching performance from Kristen King (8-13), who started the season slow but has come on in recent weeks to give Southeast a strong No. 2 hurler behind ace Jenny Doehring.

King, going all seven inning, allowed six hits and three earned runs, with six strikeouts and two walks.

"She's really been pitching well," Richmond said. "She's coming on and taking some of the slack off Jenny Doehring."

Southeast had nine hits, led by Brooke Nett, Courtney Eklund and Reagan Hamlin with two each. Eklund drove in two runs on a third-inning double that keyed a five-run rally, wiping out an early 2-1 Morehead lead.

Alison Queen had the big blow for Morehead (13-19, 6-14), a mammoth two-run home run to left field in the seventh inning that rallied the Eagles to within 6-4, but they could get no closer.