OTAHKS DROP OPENER IN OVC TOURNEY

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Southeast Missouri State softball Otahkians dropped their first game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Friday, but rebounded for a win in the loser's bracket.

No. 3 seed Eastern Kentucky (39-15) knocked off No. 2 Southeast 2-0 in the opening round. Southeast (25-24) then beat No. 5 Tennessee State 1-0.

In the first-round game, Southeast had five hits and stranded seven runners. Emmy Kisaka had two hits for Southeast.

Eastern Kentucky scored one run in the second and another in the fourth off Southeast starter Jenny Doehring. Doehring went seven innings and allowed eight hits and a walk, while striking out one.

Jessica Soto got the win for Eastern Kentucky. She allowed five hits and a walk, while striking out one.

In the loser's bracket game against Tennessee State (13-26), Southeast pitcher Kristen King hurled a three-hitter. She walked two and struck out three.

Kisaka again was the only Otahkian with two hits.