THE LASTEST LINE: SE SOFTBALL DYNASTY IN FULL BLOOM

Southeast Missouri State University's Otahkians have ruled Ohio Valley Conference softball in recent years but this season could hold something extra special for coach Lana Richmond's powerhouse squad.

The Otahkians, who are closing in on their fifth consecutive OVC title, will serve as the host for the league tournament that will be held next weekend.

And, if the Otahkians can win another OVC tourney title -- which they will be solidly favored to do -- then they will also earn the right to host the NCAA play-in series that determines an NCAA Tournament berth.

Never before on the Division I level have the Otahkians advanced to the NCAA tourney, but this is looking more and more like it could be the season for Richmond's high-flying squad that earlier this year handed the outstanding coach her 500th career victory.

Southeast has once again laid waste to the OVC, compiling a 16-2 conference record (with two league games left) along with a 34-10-1 overall mark.

The Otahkians figure to have a solid chance of breaking the school record for single-season wins of 40 set in 1986.

And Kim Palmer has already broken the school record for career home runs with 13.

Sporting a team batting average of better than .300 and a team earned-run average of less than 2.00, these Otahkians are certainly an exciting bunch to watch.

About the only mystery is why the Otahkians rarely play in front of more than a handful of fans, most of them relatives or close friends.

Hopefully that will change when the Otahkians go after the OVC Tournament title on their own field.

They certainly deserve the support.

* Speaking of hosting the OVC tourney, SEMO is very much in the hunt to have the league's baseball tournament played at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau.

The Indians need to finish second in the nine-team league to earn that right (first-place Eastern Illinois has no lights on its field and is not eligible) and, entering weekend play, SEMO was in second place.

It's going to be an interesting battle to the finish to see if the Indians -- fielding an extremely exciting and talented team this season -- can indeed host the tournament, set to be played May 7-9.

Coach Mark Hogan has certainly upgraded his squad this season as compared to last year, thanks to some key returning players and a host of newcomers. Saturday's big doubleheader sweep of Tennessee-Martin puts SEMO in good shape as for as finishing second goes.

* Being selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft is certainly no guarantee of making the league.

But here's hoping SEMO's Angel Rubio bucks the odds and is able to stick with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted Rubio as a noseguard.

There are plenty of class individuals performing for SEMO in various sports, but it's doubtful that anybody ranks higher in that category than Rubio, who is humble, thoughtful, considerate -- and one heck of a fierce competitor.

He's the kind of young man you especially root for and want to see succeed.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian