April 1, 2002

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Kelly Birk pitched five strong innings and Jennifer Cobin went 2-3 with three RBI's as the Southeast Missouri State Otahkians upended the Lady Tigers of Tennessee State, 9-3, Monday at University Field.

"We came out ready to play in the first inning today," said Head Coach Lana Richmond. "We hit the ball extremely well, and the pitchers did their job."

Freshman Kelly Birk (2-6) earned her second victory in a row, going five innings and allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out three. "It feels good to have some runs behind you," Birk said. "I feel I've been getting a lot more confident since the season started out."

Southeast Missouri (5-14 overall, 2-4 Ohio Valley) struck first on a Reagan Hamlin RBI single in the first. Southeast added two unearned runs in the inning, making their lead 3-0.

Cobin and Courtney Eklund each had RBI singles in the second inning off TSU starter Shannon Hicks (4-6) to extend Southeast's lead to 5-0 after two innings.

Tennessee State (7-15 overall, 1-4 Ohio Valley) added two runs in the third on a two-out, two-run single by Casundra Jo Sharp.

Cobin capped off her stellar day with a blast over the left-centerfield fence, extending the Southeast lead to 8-2.

Each team would later score once more before Rachael Van Fleet closed the game out for the Otahkians.

Next, Southeast will travel to the University of Missouri on Wednesday for a two-game set in Columbia. The first pitch is slated for 4 p.m.