OTAHKS WIN 2 GAMES IN SIU INVITATIONAL

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team inched closer to the .500 mark as the Otahkians picked up two shutout victories Friday in the SIU Invitational.

The Otahkians beat Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Illinois 2-0 and then knocked off Saint Louis 5-0.

Southeast, which improved its record to 9-10 and stretched its winning streak to four, will play two more tournament games today, facing Northern Iowa at 10 a.m. and host Southern Illinois at 2 p.m.

Christine Engelhardt pitched a two-hitter against Eastern Illinois for her second straight shutout. She struck out two and walked one as she improved to 6-3.

Ricki DeArmon had two of Southeast's six hits. She and Tami Hebert each drove in a run.

The Otahkians scored single runs in the second and sixth innings.

Debbie Schmelz hurled a three-hitter against Saint Louis as she improved to 3-7. Schmelz fanned four and walked two.

Kelsey White and Emmy Kisaka each had two of the Otahkians' seven hits. Kisaka and Renee Enos both drove in two runs.

Southeast broke on top with two runs in the opening inning. The Otahkians added one in the fourth and two in the fifth.

Southeast track

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Three Southeast athletes placed among the top 15 in the women's 10,000-meter run as the Alabama Invitational got under way Friday.

Approximately 40 teams are competing in the meet that will feature most of its finals today and Sunday.

Leslie McNamara finished fourth in the 10,000 with a time of 37 minutes 34 seconds.

Amy Arteme, a freshman out of Kelly High School, placed sixth in 37:39, a time that qualified her for the United States Junior Nationals this summer.

Celeste Ramsey of Perryville was 14th in 39:36.

"Leslie and Amy both had outstanding times," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "There is some tremendous competition at this meet."