Otahkians lose series finale 5-1 at UT-Martin

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team was foiled in its bid for a series sweep as host Tennessee-Martin claimed a 5-1 victory Sunday.

Saturday in Cape Girardeau, the Otahkians swept a doubleheader from the Skyhawks.

The Otahkians fell to 14-24 overall and 10-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play as they dropped into fourth place in the eight-team league. The Skyhawks are 21-26 and a third-place 12-8 in the OVC.

UTM outhit Southeast 12-2 and overcame an early deficit to post the victory. Southeast took a 1-0 lead in the first inning but the Otahkians were held off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Kendra Kosco pitched all seven innings for the victory, striking out one and walking one.

Jessica Hunter took the loss, allowing five hits and two runs in two innings. Melissa Van Velkinburgh gave up seven hits and three runs in three innings. Rachel Van Fleet finished up with a scoreless and hitless inning.

Southeast plays its final home games of the season Tuesday as St. Louis University visits the Southeast Softball Complex for a 4 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.

Golfers ready for OVC

Southeast has never won the OVC men's golf tournament, but coach Carroll Williams believes the Indians will be in the running for the title when the nine-team, 54-hole meet is held today through Wednesday in Paducah, Ky.

There will be 18 holes each day beginning at 8 a.m. at the Country Club of Paducah.

"We feel like we're as good as anybody," Williams said. "But golf is such a crazy game. You never know what's going to happen."

The Indians, fifth in the OVC last year, have had a strong spring season, winning two tournaments and finishing second twice.

Competing for the Indians in the tournament will be senior Woody Hill, senior Jim Blose, junior Kent Phillips from Central High School, sophomore Matt Hillis and sophomore Brian Sheehan.

Hill has the Indians' lone individual win this spring but their five golfers all averaged between 74 and 75 strokes for 18 holes. Blose was second in last year's OVC meet.

"We've had a great spring and I think we're ready," Williams said. "We just need to put together three solid rounds and see what happens."

Austin Peay has won the last two OVC titles. Southeast's best showings were second-place finishes in both 1994 and 1995.

Tennis ends with win

Southeast ended its women's tennis season Sunday with a 4-3 win over Austin Peay in the seventh-place match of the OVC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

The Otahkians, seeded seventh in the eight-team event, finished with a 4-11 record.

The teams each won three singles matches, Southeast's wins coming from Christina Garcia at No. 2, Kay Ehlke at No. 3 and Amanda Walker at No. 4.

Southeast captured the doubles point by winning two of the three doubles matches. Victorious were the teams of Daniela Garcia-Christina Garcia and Andrea Aldana-Julie Jarrell.

-- From staff reports