OTAHKS YOUNG, BUT ARMED FOR '97

Asked to describe her 1997 Southeast Missouri State University softball team, veteran coach Lana Flynn Richmond smiles and says three words.

"Young, young, young."

But that's just fine with Richmond, who will be looking to lead her Otahkians to yet another Ohio Valley Conference championship.

The Otahkians open the '97 campaign today in the SIU Tournament in Carbondale, Ill. Southeast plays Evansville at 11:30 a.m. today, followed by a game with host Southern Illinois at 1:30.

Southeast went 39-9 last season on its way to a second straight OVC championship. Along the way, the Otahkians put together a phenomenal 32-game winning streak that is the third-longest in NCAA history.

But the Otahkians graduated six key players from that team and they have only two seniors on the current roster.

"It's a new look for us, but I feel confident," said Richmond, who has compiled a 451-230 record entering her 15th season with the Otahkians. "It's going to be a challenging season, but that's what makes coaching exciting. Every year is a different challenge."

Richmond is confident of continued success mainly because of a veteran pitching staff that returns all three hurlers from last season.

Senior Sara Reichert returns as the OVC Pitcher of the Year after going 14-5 with a 1.16 earned-run average last year.

Sophomore Debbie Schmelz (14-4, 1.25 ERA) also made first-team all-conference last season while all sophomore Christine Englehardt (11-0, 0.91 ERA) did was go undefeated.

"I feel confident because it's a veteran pitching staff," Richmond said. "We made it clear this fall that they have to be able to win a lot of 1-0 games this year because we won't be as explosive as last year.

"Last year they had four or five runs to work with a lot. This year they might only get one or two runs."

The Otahkians return just two full-time position starters but they're good ones.

Sophomore shortstop Jenny Oermann batted .356 and drove in 32 runs last year while junior outfielder Kim Palmer hit .313 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Both earned all-OVC honors.

"Offensively and defensively, we'll be counting on Jen and Kim quite a bit," said Richmond.

Junior Erin Frazier batted .348 last year and made all-OVC as a utility player. She will play second base this year, although she will miss the opener while recovering from an injury.

Also starting quite a few games last year were senior Karen Matzenbacher (.346) and junior Karen Noel (.313). Matzenbacher can play outfield or be the designated player while Noel is a catcher.

The other returnee from last year is sophomore utility player Anne Wilson (.286), who saw limited action.

Richmond has high hopes for quite a few newcomers, including several freshmen and junior-college transfers.

Juco transfers Kendra Williams (catcher), Melissa Thornton (outfield) and Chris Shetley (outfield) are being counted on, as are freshmen Tami Hebert (third base), Michelle Frank (second base), Jeni Gaines (first base), Leanne Gryncewicz (first base) and Josie Earnest (utility).

"There are some really good players in that group," said Richmond. "Quite a few of them will start for sure and they should all see plenty of playing time."

OTAHKIAN NOTES: Southeast's hope opener will be March 26 against Tennessee-Martin. All home games are played at Parker Field on campus.

A highlight of the Otahkians' non-conference schedule will be the Hawaii Tournament March 13-16.

SEMO Softball

1997 Schedule

(Home games in CAPS)

MARCH

1-2 -- at SIU Tournament; 8 -- at Eastern Illinois, 1 p.m.; 13-16 -- at Hawaii Tournament; 21-22 -- at SIU Tournament; 26 -- TENNESSEE-MARTIN, 2 p.m.; 29 -- at Tennessee Tech, noon; 30 -- at Eastern Kentucky, noon; 31 -- at Morehead State, 1 p.m.

APRIL

3 -- at Evansville, 2 p.m.; 4 -- AUSTIN PEAY, 2 p.m.; 5 -- MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE, 2 p.m.; 6 -- TENNESSEE STATE, 2 p.m.; 9 -- at SIU, 3 p.m.; 12 -- MOREHEAD STATE, 2 p.m.; 13 -- EASTERN KENTUCKY, 2 p.m.; 14 -- TENNESSEE TECH, 2 p.m.; 15 -- vs. Missouri, in St. Louis, 4 p.m.; 19 -- at Austin Peay, 2 p.m.; 20 -- at Middle Tennessee State, 2 p.m.; 21 -- at Tennessee State, 2 p.m.; 23 -- at Tennessee-Martin, 3 p.m.; 26 -- EASTERN ILLINOIS, 2 p.m.; 29 -- vs. Southwest Missouri State, in St. Louis, 4 p.m.; 30 -- ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY, 3 p.m.

MAY

3-4 -- at OVC Tournament, Morehead, Ky.