EASTERN KENTUCKY SWEEPS OTAHKIANS

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team lost just two Ohio Valley Conference games last year as the Otahkians captured their fifth consecutive OVC regular-season title.

This year, the Otahkians already have three league defeats, thanks in large part to Saturday's doubleheader sweep at the hands of visiting Eastern Kentucky.

EKU (16-21, 5-0 OVC) prevailed 7-1 in the opener and 2-0 in an eight-inning nightcap. Southeast fell to 11-17 and 3-3 in league play.

The Lady Colonels romped in the opener, getting 11 hits, including home runs from Renee LeBlanc and Bethany Herrington. Jonelle Csora (4-7) pitched a five-hitter.

Renee Enos and Michelle Frank each had two hits for Southeast. Renee Mueller (7-9) went the distance and took the loss.

The nightcap was scoreless through the seven regulation innings before EKU pushed across two runs in the eighth.

Kristina Mahon (5-9) hurled a six-hitter. Jenny Doehring (1-4) allowed just five hits in going the distance.

Doehring and Dawn Piantino both had two hits for the Otahkians.

The squads will play a 2 p.m. single game today.