OTAHKIANS WIN PAIR IN OVC SOFTBALL TOURNEY

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Saturday was an all-around good day for Southeast Missouri State University's softball team.

The Otahkians won their first two games in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament -- and standout shortstop Jenny Oermann was named the league's Player of the Year.

Southeast, the No. 1 seed and winner of the past three OVC Tournament titles, blanked host Tennessee-Martin 5-0 and then knocked off Tennessee Tech 5-2.

The Otahkians will take on second-seeded Middle Tennessee at 11 a.m. today in the winner's bracket final. A Southeast win in that game would send the Otahkians into the 3 p.m. championship round.

"We had a good day," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond, whose squad improved its record to 28-15.

Oermann, a senior, earned her fourth consecutive first-team all-OVC berth. She entered the tournament hitting .383 after batting .410 last season.

"Jenny is very deserving of the honor," said Richmond.

Oermann, who has been drafted by the Women's Professional Softball League, is playing in the tournament with damaged ligaments in her left wrist.

Joining Oermann on the all-OVC first team is senior pitcher Debbie Schmelz. On the second team are senior pitcher Christine Engelhardt, junior catcher Renee Enos and junior outfielder Kelsey White. Freshman utility player Emmy Kisaka earned honorable-mention honors.

As for Saturday's games, first the Otahkians rolled past Tennessee-Martin (4-41) behind Engelhardt, who allowed three hits and no walks while striking out 11.

White had three of Southeast's eight hits and she also drove in two runs. Oermann added two hits.

Then against tough Tennessee Tech (31-21), Schmelz scattered seven hits while fanning four and walking none.

The Otahkians exploded for 13 hits against Tech, Oermann and Enos both getting three. Ricki DeArmon and Michelle Frank added two hits apiece while Enos had two RBIs.

"I thought the team hit extremely well, especially against Tech," Richmond said. "We executed very well offensively and hit with people on base. And our pitching was very solid."

Of today's winner's bracket final against Middle Tennessee, Richmond said, "It should be great game. They've got a strong team."