SOUTHEAST SOFTBALL TEAM CAPTURES FIRST VICTORIES

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team finally broke into the win column over the weekend as the Otahkians competed in the Kentucky Tournament.

The Otahkians (3-7) went 3-2 in the three-day event as they bounced back from an 0-5 start to the season. Jenny Doehring accounted for all of the victories as she pitched three straight shutouts.

Friday, the Otahkians notched their first victory of the season as they routed Indiana 8-0 behind the two-hit work of Doehring, who also had three of her team's 12 hits.

Reagan Hamlin and Mindy Myers added two hits for the Otahkians. Both also drive in two runs.

Southeast split a pair of games Saturday, losing to Louisville 7-2 and beating Kentucky 1-0 behind a Doehring three-hitter. She also drove in the game's lone run on a fifth-inning single to plate Dawn Piantino, who had doubled. Piantino finished with two hits.

The Otahkians dropped a 2-0 decision to Kent State Sunday but came back to down Akron 6-0 behind Doehring's seven-hitter. She also delivered two hits, as did Kathryn Cerneka.

Kristen King was the losing hurler in both Southeast defeats over the weekend.

Gymnasts defeated

DeKALB, Ill. -- Southeast's women's gymnastics squad suffered a 194.675 to 192.475 defeat at the hands of host Northern Illinois Sunday.

Still, it was a strong meet for the Otahkians (8-7), who broke the school balance beam record for the second straight week, this time posting a 49.2 team score.

A highlight of the meet for the Otahkians was the performance of Michelle Walker on the balance beam as she tied for first with a 9.900 score that equals the third-highest balance beam performance in school history. Last week, Stephanie Furman had also posted a 9.9 on beam.

Two other Otahkians tied for first in individual events, Furman in vaulting (9.775) and Jessica Bagwill on the uneven bars (9.750).

Walker was third in both vaulting (9.725) and floor exercise (9.875) while Kathy Smith placed third on the balance beam (9.875).

Tennis drops opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Southeast women's tennis team opened its spring season Saturday with a 6-0 loss to host Missouri.

The Tigers (9-3) won all five singles matches and both doubles matches. Southeast did not win a set in any of the seven matches.

Southeast will have its first home action of the spring season today when Murray State visits for a 2 p.m. dual meet.

Singles

1. Emilie Goldman def. Jennifer Kirk, 6-2, 6-2

2. Caitlin Thompson def. Kathleen Davis, 6-4, 6-4

3. Marina Zelenovic def. Kay Ehlke, 6-2, 6-2

4. Kristina Olshanskaya def. Katie Barry, 6-0, 6-0

5. Cassie Drake def. Jessica Campbell, 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1. Olshanskaya/Zelenovic def. Davis/Kirk, 8-2

2. Drake/Thompson def. Ehlke/Barry, 8-1