SEMO SOFTBALL SPLITS AT TECH

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team suffered its first Ohio Valley Conference loss of the season Sunday when the Otahkians split a doubleheader with host Tennessee Tech.

The Otahkians dropped the opener 3-0 but came back to win the nightcap 6-2. Those results came on the heels of Saturday's sweep at Tennessee State, 11-3 and 9-0.

Southeast, which has won the past four OVC championships, is now 19-14 overall and 9-1 in league play. The Otahkians have a big doubleheader today at Middle Tennessee State, which entered the weekend unbeaten in OVC play.

The Otahkians managed just three hits in Sunday's opener as Debbie Schmelz (8-9) took the loss.

But the Otahkians bounced back in the second game behind the pitching of Christine Engelhardt (11-5). Renee Enos doubled and tripled for Southeast while Jenny Oermann and Tami Herbert added two hits apiece.

During Saturday's action, Courtney Eklund homered while Engelhardt hurled a shutout and Schmelz also notched a victory.