SE SAVORS SPLIT WITH RANKED MU

ST. LOUIS -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team earned a doubleheader split Thursday with the nationally-ranked Lady Tigers of Missouri.

After dropping the first game 8-2, the Otahkians bounced back behind the strong pitching of Debbie Schmelz for a 4-0 win. Southeast is now 29-9 overall while Mizzou, ranked eighth in the country in the most recent poll, sports a mark of 30-15.

"I knew our team had the potential (to win), it was just a matter of bringing it all together," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond. "When Debbie pitches like this, it all comes down to defense and our defense was good today.

"We made big plays all day that shut down a top 10 team in the nation."

Schmelz went the distance, allowing only two hits in the victory. She took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a leadoff single.

"I wanted this win more than anything," said Schmelz. "I really needed this win."

Jenni Oermann provided most of the Otahkians' offense on the day. Oermann had the Otahkians' only hit in the opening game -- a two-run home run -- and added two run-scoring hits in the nightcap. She doubled home a run in the third inning and drove home another in the fifth.

Chris Shetley added a solo home run over the left-center field fence.

Now the Otahkians will turn their attentions back to Ohio Valley Conference play.

Southeast, 11-1 and in first place in the OVC's Western Division, will have its longest league road trip of the season this weekend, playing doubleheaders at Morehead State today and Eastern Kentucky Sunday.

Sunday's twin bill will be a showdown between the OVC's respective division leaders. Eastern Kentucky is in first place in the Eastern Division with a 7-3 mark. The Lady Colonels are 26-14 overall.

"We've got four big conference games this weekend," said Richmond.