Sports digest 4/17/02

AREA

SOUTHEAST SOFTBALL TEAM SPLITS WITH UT-MARTIN

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Tennessee-Martin Tuesday as each squad claimed a one-run victory.

The Otahkians (9-22, 6-10 OVC) won 3-2 in the opener while the Skyhawks (22-23, 11-4) prevailed 2-1 in the finale.

Kelly Birk (4-7) pitched a four-hitter in the first game. Southeast also had just four hits, the big blow being Courtney Eklund's first home run of the season, a two-run shut during a three-run fourth inning.

In the second game, Southeast scored a run in the first inning on an RBI double by Birk and that stood up until the sixth, when UTM got its only two runs.

Kristen King (1-9) was the tough-luck loser, allowing seven hits. Kendra Kosco (14-5) limited the Otahkians to five hits and struck out seven.

Dawn Piantino and Katie Cerneka each had two of Southeast's nine hits on the day.

The Otahkians visit OVC foe Eastern Illinois Thursday.

Southeast golfers fifth at St. Louis tournament

ST. LOUIS -- Southeast's golf team finished fifth in the 16-team Billiken Invitational hosted by St. Louis University.

Jimmy Blose led the Indians with a fifth-place tie, finishing three rounds at 8-over-par 221. Matt Hillis was 11th at 10-over 223.

NASCAR driver Potashnick makes deal on drug charge

Suspended NASCAR driver Sammy Potashnick will be evaluated for drugs and possibly undergo treatment as part of a plea agreement. Potashnick, 27, of Sikeston, Mo., a driver in the NASCAR Winston West Series, pleaded no contest to the charge of illegal possession of hydrocodone -- a prescription painkiller. In exchange for Potashnick agreeing to the drug evaluation, prosecutors said they will drop the charges against him.

Potashnick will be discharged after six months but must be evaluated.

Potashnick was arrested Feb. 14 following a near-collision with a Flagler County, Fla., sheriff's deputy.

ELSEWHERE

FOOTBALL

Ravens owner Art Modell, 76, is recovering from a mild heart attack in a California hospital. Modell, who had the heart attack last Friday, is "doing excellently," said his son, David.

Hockey

Avalanche center Peter Forsberg has been cleared to play for the playoffs. Forsberg, a six-time All-Star, was expected to miss four months after having foot surgery on Jan. 10.

-- From staff, wire reports