OTAHKIANS ROLL TO TWO MORE WINS

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's softball team won two more games Tuesday to improve to 5-1 in the Rebel Spring Games.

The Otahkians beat Yale 6-1 in their first contest of the day then rolled past Manhattan 13-1. The victories improved Southeast to 9-3 overall on the season.

In the six-inning victory over Yale, Southeast totaled 10 hits with Michelle Frank and Josie Earnest both perfect at the plate with 3-for-3 performances. Chris Shetley pounded two doubles.

Debbie Schmelz and Melissa Thornton combined on a five-hitter. Schmelz pitched the first four innings for the win, allowing four hits and one run. Thornton pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and a base on balls.

Southeast scored three runs in both the second and third innings to take control. Yale got its only run in the fourth inning on two hits.

Southeast ripped 12 hits in the rout over Manhattan, scoring nine runs in the first inning on six hits and three Manhattan errors. The Otahkians added three runs in the third inning and one in the fifth.

Kim Palmer smashed a three-run home run over the fence and had an RBI-single in the blowout. Palmer's homer was her third over the fence in two days. Anne Wilson went 2-for-3 with a bases-loaded double for three RBIs.

Christine Engelhardt got the win on the mound, pitching three perfect innings with three strikeouts. Thornton hurled the final two innings, allowing two hits, a walk and an unearned run in the fifth inning.

Southeast has a day off in Florida today before returning to action against Army and Tennessee-Martin on Thursday.