Otahkians sweep Tennessee State

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team ran its winning streak to three games Saturday as the Otahkians swept a lopsided Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader from visiting Tennessee State.

In a pair of run-rule contests, the Otahkians won 9-1 in six innings and 8-0 in five innings. Southeast is 8-21 overall and 3-1 in OVC play. TSU is 11-22 and 1-4.

Kelly Birk (3-7) pitched all six innings of the opener, allowing four hits. She struck out one and walked two.

The Otahkians had eight hits, led by Birk with two. Melissa Van Velkinburgh, Stephanie Mata and Lindsay Pickering all drove in two runs.

Jessica Hunter (2-6) hurled a two-hit shutout in the finale, walking none and striking out five over five innings.

Southeast banged out 11 second-game hits. Victoria Torrez went 3-for-3, including a triple and double, good for two RBIs. Jamie Birk had two hits and Van Velkinburgh added two more RBIs. Torrez finished the day with four hits and Jamie Birk had three.

The Otahkians and Tigers conclude their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.

Tennis home finale today

Southeast Missouri State University's women's tennis team (1-19) will conclude its regular season with two Ohio Valley Conference matches, including today's final home contest against Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m.