EVANSVILLE FOILS OTAHKIANS' DEBUT

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- After rain washed away Southeast Missouri State University's opener on Wednesday, the University of Evansville rained on the Otahkians' parade Thursday with a doubleheader sweep.

Evansville used a seven-run fifth inning to win the opener 7-4 and then blanked Southeast in the nightcap 4-0.

Jenny Oermann staked Southeast (0-2) to a 2-0 lead in the top of first in Game 1 with a two-run homer to left and the Otahks added two more runs in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.

Southeast starter Debbie Schmelz (0-1) retired the first batter in the fifth inning but then ran into trouble. She walked the bases loaded and was lifted for Christine Englehardt when Kristy Crain singled in two runs. Engelhardt surrendered three hits and two walks before obtaining the final two outs.

Oermann and Ricki DeArmon both had two hits in Southeast' six-hit attack.

The Otahkians found themselves outhit 10 to 4 in the nightcap. Engelhardt went the distance and took the loss. She struck out four, walked two and all four runs were earned.

Evansville hurler Mattie Ross struck out 12 Otahkians and walked one.

Evansville (8-3) pushed across three runs in the bottom of the third, on four singles and a walk, and added a run in the bottom of the sixth.

Oermann again had two hits for Southeast.

Lisa Roberts had three safeties for Evansville.

Southeast returns to action Saturday when it begins play in its own Southeast Classic.