Otahkians split opener with Lipscomb

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's softball team opened its season Tuesday with a split of a doubleheader with Lipscomb University.

Southeast debuted with a 6-0 victory behind the two-hit pitching of Kelly Birk, but the Otahkians then dropped the second game 6-5.

Birk (1-0) struck out three batters and walked three. She allowed just a pair of hits by Hillary Gipson, who had singles in the first and third innings.

Birk matched Gipson with two hits of her own off losing pitcher Danielle Catalano (2-2), who pitched all seven innings. Brooke Nett added two hits for Southeast, which had eight hits overall.

The Otahks broke a scoreless duel in the top of the fourth. Katie Cerneka brought home the winning run with a double and later scored on a single by Birk.

Southeast added four runs in the seventh on four hits.

In the second game, Lipscomb also broke open a scoreless contest in the fourth with four runs. An error and three singles chased Southeast starter Van Velkenburgh (0-1) in the inning. Jessica Hunter relieved and allowed two more hits.

Hunter allowed two more runs in the fifth for a 6-0 lead. The Otahkians then banged out six hits in a five-run sixth.

Amy Murphy, Alana Bagby-Leonard, Cerneka, Birk and Marie Coode all had two hits for Southeast, which had 11 overall.

Gipson (3-0) picked up the win, allowing 10 hits in five innings.

Gipson and Lauren Parker led Lipscomb's 12-hit attack with three hits apiece.

Velkenburgh allowed seven hits in 3 1-3 innings, while Hunter allowed five hits in 2 2/3 innings.