Otahks' split puts focus on finale today

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University and host Eastern Kentucky split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader Saturday, meaning the Otahkians can still finish in a tie for second place in the league.

After Southeast won 4-0 and lost 4-1, the Otahkians need a win in today's series and regular-season finale to tie both EKU and Tennessee-Martin for second place. A loss means Southeast will finish fourth in the eight-team conference.

Southeast is 15-26 overall and 11-8 in the OVC, while EKU is 26-16 and 12-7. Tennessee-Martin has already concluded league play at 12-8.

Saturday's opener belonged to first baseman Alana Bagby-Leonard and pitchers Jessica Hunter and Melissa Van Velkinburgh.

Bagby-Leonard hit two home runs -- she has a team-leading six on the season -- and drove in all four runs. She had a three-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth.

Hunter, a walk-on who by far has been the Otahkians' most consistent starter this year, worked the first four innings and got the win. She allowed six hits, struck out three and walked one. Van Velkinburgh finished off the shutout with three innings of one-hit ball. She struck out one and walked two.

Brooke Nett had the other two of Southeast's four first-game hits.

In the finale, Kelly Birk suffered the loss. She allowed seven hits and three runs in four innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.

Lyndsey Webb had two of Southeast's six hits and Bagby-Leonard drove in the Otahkians' lone run. Nett finished the day with three hits.

Outgoing gymnastics coach signs three

Southeast gymnastics coach Patty Stotzheim recently announced her resignation, but that didn't stop her from hitting the recruiting trail.

Stotzheim has signed three gymnasts who will fill out the Otahkians' roster for next season. The recruits are Lily Le from Kennewick, Wash.; Lexie Hein from Appleton, Wis.; and Brystol Powelski from Hales Corners, Wis.

"These young ladies have got it all -- great gymnastics, great academics and great work ethic," Stotzheim said. "They're going to be wonderful additions to the team, and they're going to fit right in."-- From staff reports