Southeast softball edges Eastern Illinois

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team closed in on a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament by beating host Eastern Illinois 2-1 Wednesday.

The Otahkians (15-31, 10-11) remained in sixth place among 10 squads, and they lead seventh-place Austin Peay by three games. Both squads have three regular-season games remaining. The top six finishers qualify for the tournament.

Amy Fahnestock (9-9) continued her recent strong pitching for Southeast with a two-hitter. In seven innings, she struck out four and walked three.

Southeast had seven hits, led by Kelly Birk and Lyndsey Webb with two each. The Otahkians scored both runs in the second inning after the first two batters were retired. Lindsay Pickering doubled, Webb delivered an RBI double and Amy Murphy followed with an RBI single.

Eastern Illinois (20-33, 8-16) scored its lone run in the sixth inning.

The Otahkians finish the regular season this weekend with a three-game series against Samford in Birmingham, Ala.