Redhawks face daunting task against nationally ranked SIU

The Southeast Missouri State softball team will venture across the river today for one of its biggest challenges this year.

Southeast (4-2) and Southern Illinois (11-1) will play a 2 p.m. doubleheader in Carbondale, Ill.

SIU is ranked 18th and 23rd in the two major national polls. The Salukis won their first 11 games before losing 8-0 to top-ranked Alabama.

The Salukis have outscored their opponents 62-22.

Southeast has not played since Feb. 15 after the Redhawks had a scheduled tournament in Memphis, Tenn., canceled because of the weather over the weekend.

SIU has won 12 straight meetings against the Redhawks and lead the all-time series 73-28-1.

Soccer signs six

The Southeast women's soccer program has signed six players to national letters of intent for next season, including five high school seniors.

Included among the signees are two previously announced local products, Notre Dame's Courtney Luehmann and Jackson's Bobbi Jo Schlick.

Other high school signees are Brigette Schuppan from Nerinx Hall in St. Louis County, along with Ali Bauer and Kristen Starkey from St. Dominic in the St. Charles area.

Also headed to Southeast is Hayley Abbott from Narooma, Australia, who spent three years at the NSW Institute of Sport and has international experience.

Starkey is the only goalkeeper among the group.

-- From staff reports