OTAHKS BEGIN CALIFORNIA TRIP, SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team began its week-long California trip by sweeping a doubleheader Monday.

The Otahkians downed Indiana State 1-0 and 12-4 as they evened their record at 3-3. Southeast will face Cal State-Sacramento today before beginning play in the 16-team Capital Classic Thursday.

Christine Engelhardt pitched all seven innings in the opener, allowing four hits while striking out five and walking two.

Southeast scored the game's only run in the third inning on a single by Jenny Oermann that plated pinch-runner Alicia Liley.

Tami Hebert had two of Southeast's eight hits.

The second game ended in the bottom of the sixth inning by way of the eight-run rule after Anne Trieb's bases-loaded triple.

Renee Enos and Kelsey White both had two of Southeast's 10 hits.

Debbie Schmelz was the winning pitcher with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.