SE SOFTBALL CLAIMS FIRST WIN0

HONOLULU -- Southeast Missouri's softball team traveled all the way to Hawaii, but found its first win of the 1997 season.

Playing in the University of Hawaii Tournament Friday, the Otahkians defeated Creighton 5-4 in eight innings. However, the win was followed by losses to Illinois State and Cal-Berkeley.

Illinois State defeated Southeast 3-0 while Cal-Berkeley won 1-0 in eight innings.

Against Creighton, Southeast (1-7-1) broke a 4-4 deadlock with a run in the top of the eighth inning. Debbie Schmelz recorded the win in relief of Sara Reichert. Schmelz allowed four hits in 5.2 innings.

The Otahkians rallied from a 3-0 deficit. Josie Earnest went 3 for 3 with three RBI. Chris Shetley added two hits as Southeast finished with 11.

Against Illinois State, Southeast outhit the Redbirds 8-7. Illinois State scored two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth. Reichert suffered the loss.