Even though Southeast Missouri State University's softball team struggled in non-league play, coach Lana Richmond is hopeful the Otahkians will fare much better against Ohio Valley Conference competition.

The Otahkians will begin to learn more about their league fate today as they open OVC play against visiting Eastern Illinois in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

Southeast is 5-20 and has lost 13 of its last 14 games. Eastern Illinois is 8-19 overall and 0-3 in the OVC after dropping a three-game series to Eastern Kentucky.

"We've talked about this being the start of a new season. Everything is still on the line and we start out fresh with the conference," Richmond said. "I think the OVC is pretty even. I think there are five or six teams that can battle for the top five, six spots, and I'm hopeful we can be right in there."

Richmond said the Otahkians' biggest problem this season has been an inconsistent offense. Southeast ranks near the bottom of the OVC with a team batting average of .218.

"We've just been inconsistent at the plate. Sometimes we hit well and sometimes we don't," she said. "And we've had problems coming up with the key hits."

Suzi Lair leads Southeast with a .319 average. No other Otahkians player is hitting better than .263.

Richmond said the Otahkians have missed the presence of Alana Bagby-Leonard, one of their top returning hitters who has not played in several weeks because of recurring migraine headaches.

"We've had several tests done and we still don't know what the problem is," Richmond said. "She was our No. 4 hitter and that's a big stick to take out of the lineup."

Southeast's pitching has been respectable with a 3.29 earned run average, but Richmond said the Otahkians are hampered by the continued wrist problems of junior college transfer Amy Fahnestock, who was being counted on as their ace.

Fahnestock was questionable for the season but started out strong. However, the wrist troubles eventually got worse again and she has not been able to work much lately.

"We're just trying to get as many innings out of her as we can, but we're basically not planning to have her much," Richmond said.

Kelly Birk (2-6, 2.15 ERA) and Jessica Hunter (0-6, 2.64) have been the Otahkians' most effective hurlers despite their records. Fahnestock (3-6, 4.47) has Southeast's other wins.

Eastern Illinois is batting .240, thanks largely to freshman Sandyn Short, the OVC's second-leading hitter at .417. She also has four home runs and 18 runs batted in. No other Panther is batting above .254. The Panthers have struggled in the pitching department with a 4.96 ERA.

Following today's games, the Otahkians host Tennessee State (11-20, 1-2) in a three-game series this weekend. They play their first seven conference games at home, and Richmond believes a strong start is imperative.

"We've talked about that. It is important," she said. "It's a positive that our first seven conference games are at home and we have to take advantage of that."