OTAHKIANS HAND TECH FIRST LOSS IN DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University and Tennessee Tech split an Ohio Valley Conference softball doubleheader here Saturday.

The Otahkians lost the opener 2-1 but came back to prevail 7-1 in the nightcap.

Southeast is now 8-1 overall and 3-3 in OVC play. Tech, which suffered its first loss of the season, is 15-1 and 5-1.

Debbie Schmelz pitched well in defeat in the opener as she allowed just four hits. Both Tech runs were unearned, thanks to a critical Southeast error in the second inning.

The Otahkians, who had just five hits in the first game, exploded for 11 hits in the second contest. Kim Palmer, Kendra Williams and Jeni Gaines all contributed two hits.

Christine Engelhardt gave the Otahkians their second impressive pitching performance on the day as she allowed just four hits and an unearned run in working the full seven innings. Engelhardt struck out seven and walked two.

Southeast broke open a scoreless game with six runs in the fifth inning.

The Otahkians will be back in action Thursday when they visit Evansville.