SE softball nabs several recruits

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team has signed five players and also landed a walk-on during the early signing period that ends today. The players will be members of the Otahkians' 2003 squad.

The Otahks landed high school seniors Katy Hacker (Mascoutah, Ill.), Melissa VanVelkinburgh (St. Louis, Cor Jesu), Leigh Anne Lunsford (Southaven, Miss.) and walk-on Chrissy Bodine (St. Louis, Lafayette), along with junior-college transfers Amy Murphy (Rend Lake, Ill.) and Nichole Pike (Wabash, Ill.).

Hacker, an outfielder, batted .373 in 2000. VanVelkinburgh, a pitcher, earned all-metro honors in St. Louis. Lunsford, a catcher, played on a state championship team in Mississippi. Bodine, a catcher, hit .387 as Lafayette won the Missouri state title.

As for the junior-college recruits, Murphy, an outfielder, batted .313 and stole 16 bases in 16 attempts to earn all-region honors while Pike, a shortstop, hit .362 with 32 RBIs to nab All-American honors.