OTAHKS SWEEP EKU, MOVE INTO FIRST PLACE

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team took over sole possession of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference by sweeping a doubleheader from host Eastern Kentucky Saturday afternoon.

The Otahkians prevailed 2-1 and 6-4 as they improved to 19-19 overall and 12-3 in OVC play. EKU, which entered the twin bill in first place, fell to 33-14 overall and 11-4 in the league. Tennessee Tech is also 11-4 in conference action.

Jenny Doehring (13-8) was the winning pitcher in both games for the Otahkians while senior catcher Renee Enos went 5-for-6 at the plate as she raised her batting average on the season to over .400.

In the opener, Courtney Eklund's second home run of the season a two-run shot in the second inning after Enos had led off with a single put Southeast ahead 2-0 and gave Doehring all the support she would need.

Doehring went all seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out two and walking three.

Enos went 3-for-3 to pace the Otahkians' six-hit attack.

In the nightcap, the Otahkians trailed 4-2 entering the their final regulation at-bat in the seventh as the teams appeared headed for a split.

But, after the first batter was retired, Enos belted her third homer of the season, pulling the Otahkians to within 4-3 and setting the tone for an impressive four-run rally.

Eklund walked and Reagan Hamlin was hit by a pitch. Emmy Kisaka then reached on an error to load the bases.

After the next batter was retired, the bases were still loaded with the Otahkians trailing by a run. But freshman Erica Bonilla came through with a huge single to score Eklund and tie the contest. Brooke Nett then delivered a two-run double to put Southeast on top to stay.

Doehring, who relieved in the sixth and allowed two runs, retired the Colonels in the bottom of the seventh to nail down the victory.

Southeast starter Kristen King gave up six hits and just two runs in five innings.

Nett, who belted her first homer earlier, had three of the Otahkians' 12 hits and she drove in three runs. Enos added two hits and two RBIs while Dawn Piantino also had two hits.

The squads will close out their three-game series with a single contest today.