OTAHKS CLAIM 4TH STRAIGHT OVC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Without even taking the field, Southeast Missouri State University's softball team has wrapped up its fourth consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship.

Coach Lana Richmond was anticipating having to win at least one game of today's scheduled doubleheader against Tennessee-Martin to clinch the league title.

But with Eastern Kentucky losing a weekend doubleheader, the Otahkians have already put another notch in their OVC belt.

"We're elated to win the OVC again," said Richmond. "That was one of our goals going into the season. Even though we were picked to win it, so many things can happen during the season. Our girls have done another good job."

Despite having the crown locked up, Richmond is still hoping the weather cooperates enough to get in today's 2 p.m. twin bill at Parker Field. The Otahkians will then close out the regular season Thursday in St. Louis with a doubleheader against Southwest Missouri State.

Richmond wants her team to stay as sharp as possible entering this weekend's eight-team OVC Tournament that the Otahkians will host. Play will be held Saturday and Sunday, at both Parker Field and the Shawnee Sports Complex.

"The thing is, even though we've done very well so far, I don't feel like we've peaked yet," she said. "We have four games left and hopefully we'll be able to get them all in so we'll be at the top of our game going into the tournament."

The Otahkians have a 34-10-1 overall record and a 16-2 conference mark.

"We've had some outstanding performances and we've had some seniors that have really stepped up," said Richmond.

Despite rolling through the OVC schedule and winning another championship, the Otahkians are still a relatively young team, with only four seniors, but two of them are among the squad's leading hitters.

Senior center fielder Kim Palmer, last year's OVC Female Athlete of the Year, is having another sensational season. She leads the Otahkians with a .402 batting average, eight home runs and 37 runs batted in. Palmer recently broke the school's career home run record with 13.

"Kim has had a great offensive season," said Richmond.

Senior outfielder Chris Shetley is third on the squad with a .342 average and she leads the way with 19 doubles. Shetley is also second in homers (four) and third in RBIs (25).

"Chris has had another big year for us," said Richmond.

Junior shortstop Jenny Oermann is right behind Palmer with a .400 average and she is also second in RBIs with 31. The slick-fielding Oermann has made just two errors all season.

"My gosh, Jenny has just given us such a consistent performance offensively and defensively all year," Richmond said.

The Otahkians have also had solid offensive contributions from several other players, including junior Ricki DeArmon (.291, 20 RBIs), sophomore Michelle Frank (.277, 21 RBIs), freshman Renee Enos (.273) and sophomore Josie Earnest (.267, three homers, 17 RBIs).

Once again the bulk of the pitching has been done by juniors Debbie Schmelz and Christine Engelhardt.

Schmelz is 17-4 with a 1.18 earned-run average despite being bothered by a bout with mononucleosis while Engelhardt is 14-5 with a 2.46 ERA.

"Debbie has had a tremendous season, even having mono," said Richmond.

Senior Melissa Thornton has also been valuable in spot duty with a 2-1 record and 0.88 ERA.

All in all, Richmond believes the Otahkians are poised to follow up their OVC regular-season title with the tournament championship. While the official pairings are not yet set, top-seeded Southeast will play at noon Saturday in the opening round.

"It's going to be exciting to have the tournament at home. That's a big plus," she said. "There are some other tough teams in the conference, but I like our chances. I feel good about the team."