Tournament loss to EKU ends season for Otahkians

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team had momentum in its favor entering Friday's loser's bracket final of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

The fourth-seeded Otahkians were coming off of a pair of wins over Tennessee-Martin and Eastern Illinois to avoid elimination, while second-seeded Eastern Kentucky was no-hit in a 9-0 loss to top seed Tennessee Tech earlier in the day. Southeast's momentum didn't last long enough, though, and Eastern Kentucky jumped in front 3-0 after two innings and never trailed in a 7-2 decision.

The loss ended Southeast's season. The Otahkians finished 18-29, while Eastern Kentucky improved to 29-17. Eastern Kentucky will face Tennessee Tech today in the championship game, having to beat Tech twice to claim the OVC crown.

Rachel Van Fleet pitched four innings and was credited with the loss. Van Fleet allowed six hits and two earned runs. OVC pitcher of the year Jonelle Csora pitched the final 4 2/3 innings for Eastern Kentucky to get the win. Alicia Loucks led the Otahkians with two hits, as Southeast managed only six hits in the game.

The Otahkians reached the loser's bracket final after winning a pair of close games earlier in the day. Southeast fell behind 3-0 in its opener against Tennessee-Martin, but with the help of a three-run fifth inning and strong pitching by Melissa Van Velkinburgh the Otahkians scored the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth.

Southeast then met Eastern Illinois, which defeated Austin Peay earlier in the day. The Otahkians led throughout, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Southeast added another run in the third and held off a seventh-inning rally to win 4-2.

Webb and Alana Bagby-Leonard stayed hot in the second game, contributing two hits apiece for the second game in a row.

Bagby-Leonard, Loucks and Webb led the Otahkians with five hits apiece in the three games combined.

Noteworthy

Otahkians senior Brooke Nett was chosen for the Verizon Academic All-District team announced Thursday.