Redhawks earn OVC honors

Southeast Missouri State players swept the Ohio Valley Conference weekly softball awards as freshman pitcher Gianna Zimmerman and junior catcher Alex Ramirez were honored after the Redhawks completed an unbeaten week that extended their winning streak to 11 games.

Zimmerman went 3-0 in being named the pitcher of the week. Zimmerman, who has won her last seven starts, recorded 23 strikeouts in 21 innings and held opponents to a .123 batting average. In the series opener against Eastern Kentucky, the right-hander tied her school record with 13 strikeouts.

Ramirez batted .500 and walked eight times in being selected the player of the week. She had a 1.083 slugging percentage, driving in seven runs and scoring six times. She also recorded 31 putouts and had three assists.

Southeast, 23-19 overall and 12-8 in the OVC, has climbed to third in the conference with its recent streak. The Redhawks play their final home game at 5 p.m. Wednesday against Eastern Illinois.