SE SHOOTS FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT OVC CROWN

Lana Richmond doesn't expect her Southeast Missouri State University softball team to simply roll through the Ohio Valley Conference this season.

But Richmond does figure another squad will have to play extremely well in order to keep the Otahkians from winning their fifth consecutive OVC championship.

"I feel good about the season. We're excited," said Richmond. "There are new challenges every year, but this is a veteran type team and we have high hopes again."

Southeast, picked as the OVC favorite in a poll of the league's head coaches, opens the 1999 season today at Evansville. The Otahkians will host the five-team Southeast Classic this weekend.

"The OVC is getting stronger every year and I expect some teams to really challenge us," Richmond said. "Our goal is to win the OVC again and I feel like we'll be right in there."

For the first time ever this year, the OVC champion will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Otahkians have won the past three OVC tourney titles but have lost in the NCAA play-in series each time.

"The OVC's rating has really gone up, so now our conference will get an automatic bid, which is really good for the entire league," said Richmond.

Southeast went 38-13-1 last season, including a 16-2 OVC mark. Richmond has compiled a glittering 522-266-2 in 16 seasons as the Otahkians coach.

With seven starters and their top two pitchers returning from 1998, the Otahkians should add plenty more victories to Richmond's career total this year.

The Otahkians did lose their top two power hitters from last season in record-setting Kim Palmer and Chris Shetley, both all-OVC selections.

Another loss for Southeast is Josie Earnest, who suffered a knee injury in practice Friday and is likely lost for the season. Earnest batted .294 last year

"We'll miss Josie. And Palmer and Shetley supplied a lot of our power last year," said Richmond. "But I think we have the potential to score even more runs."

The Otahkians should have plenty of pitching as the one-two punch of seniors Debbie Schmelz and Christine Engelhardt is one of the best around.

Schmelz was last season's OVC Pitcher of the Year after going 19-6 with a 1.43 earned-run average. Engelhardt went 16-6 with a 2.57 ERA.

"Our pitching will definitely be one of our strengths," Richmond said. "Debbie and Christine are both going into their fourth seasons of anchoring our staff. And they both had great fall seasons."

Southeast returns its entire infield, led by sensational shortstop Jenny Oermann, who has played every inning of every game for three straight seasons.

Oermann, who was drafted by the Women's Professional Fastpitch Association in December, batted .410 last year and was named MVP of the OVC Tournament.

"Jenny is the anchor of our infield," said Richmond. "She's the top shortstop in our conference and maybe in the Midwest. She's so consistent, not only defensively but she's also our offensive leader."

Also back around the infield are junior Tami Hebert at third, junior Michelle Frank at second, senior Joanna Hicks at first and sophomore Renee Enos behind the plate. Returning junior Jenni Gaines also figures to see action at first.

While Palmer and Shetley are gone from the outfield, Richmond still believes that area will be solid.

Senior Ricki DeArmon returns in left after batting .302 last season. Senior Anne Trieb, a part-time player last year, is ticketed for center field while junior-college transfer Kelsey White will be in right.

Also in the outfield mix is sophomore Alisha Liley, a former Jackson High standout who saw some action last year in her rookie season.

"I think Alisha will really help us this year," Richmond said. "She'll see playing time and she could break into the starting lineup."

Richmond is extremely high on her freshmen class that includes pitcher Angie Godfrey, infielders Emmy Kisaka and Dawn Piantino, and outfielder Courtney Eklund.

"I think our freshmen will help us and Courtney is going to be our designated player (today)," said Richmond.

Also figuring to help out is junior-college transfer Cari Cook, an outfielder who is currently sidelined with an injury.

The Otahkians face a rugged schedule featuring several 1998 NCAA Tournament qualifiers.

This weekend's Southeast Classic in Cape Girardeau should be challenging. Joining the Otahkians in the field will be Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, Harvard and Southwest Missouri. Harvard made the College World Series last year.

Southeast will play Northern Iowa (noon) and Western Illinois (2 p.m.) Saturday before facing Harvard (10 a.m.) and Southwest Missouri (noon) Sunday. The finals will be Sunday at 4 p.m.