OTAHKIANS REFUSE TO LOSE; RECORD START NOW AT 15-0

It's now 15 games into the season and the Southeast Missouri State women's softball team has yet to taste defeat.

The Otahkians turned their nose up towards the possibility again on Tuesday, sweeping visiting Austin Peay 3-0 and 5-2.

The two wins build on the Otahkians' best start in school history, now at 15-0. Austin Peay fell to 4-27.

Sara Reichert fired a one-hitter in the opener while Debbie Schmelz tossed a five-hitter in the nightcap. Both pitchers improved to 6-0.

Reichert struck out seven and walked one. Erin Frazier paced the six-hit Otahkian offense with two hits. Southeast grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning and added a single run in the second.

Stacey Hrabota (4-11) took the loss.

Schmelz' complete-game effort consisted of six strikeouts and no walks.

Janis Swiderski accounted for three of Southeast's 10 hits. Jodi Smith, who hit her third home run of the season, and Karen Noel each added a pair of safeties.

The Otahkians scored single runs in the first and second innings for a 2-0 lead, but saw the Lady Govs tie the score in a two-run fourth. Southeast went ahead for good in a three-run fifth, chasing starter Vicki Phillips (0-16) in the process.