March 29, 2003

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team (6-14, 2-0) defeated Tennessee State (5-19, 2-5) in two games today in the first day of a two day series. The Otahkians ruled the first game winning 4-0 and grasped the second game winning 4-3.

The Otahkians fought the chilly weather as well as the TSU Tigers and won the first game 4-0. Junior Marie Coode started the bottom of the second inning off with a homerun for Southeast. The Otahkians added two more runs in the third when Senior Brooke Nett grounded out to shortstop brining in junior Amy Murphy. The second run of the inning came when junior Alana Bagby-Leonard doubled down the right field line bringing in freshman Kate Groden. The final run for Southeast came in the bottom of the sixth after senior Kemi Rampi scored on a wild pitch.

The second game proved to be an exciting game for the Otahkian fans fighting the cold. The Tigers were ahead of Southeast up until the sixth inning. The Tigers started off the game with two runs. Senior Alicia Loucks hit a single in the second bringing in freshman Chrissy Bodine. The tigers answered back with another run by Kittel on a wild pitch. The Otahkians wouldn't stay down, however, as they scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth clinching the one-run win.

In both games Coode hit three of five including a double, a triple, and a homerun. Junior Jessica Hunter pitched all seven innings of the first game accepting the win and improving her record to 2-3 for the season. Sophomore Kelly Birk pitched five innings of the second game taking the win, making her record 4-5. In the second game alone, Birk was 3-3 with one run and two RBI.

The Otahkians will finish their three game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Southeast Softball Complex.