April 21, 2002

Box Score

MOREHEAD, Ky.- After pounding out 16 runs on Saturday, the Otahkian softball team's bats went quiet on Saturday as they pounded out 10 hits but were unable to convert when needed and were blanked 3-0 by Morehead State in the conclusion of their three-game series on Sunday.

Morehead State (10-28-1, 6-10-1 OVC) struck first in the bottom of the first after loading the bases with no outs. Southeast (12-23, 9-11 OVC) starter Kelly Birk then got to consecutive force outs at home plate and looked to be in good shape. However, MSU starter Molly Cope helped her own cause, singling to leftfield and scoring CF Toni Orr.

Southeast loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning but was unable to score. In the bottom portion of the inning, MSU added two more runs thanks to an RBI double from DP Stephanie Hernandez and an RBI groundout by C Natalee Owens.

That's all the offense Morehead needed to claim the victory, their first shutout victory of the season. Molly Cope (7-17), game one's loser on Saturday, came back strong to pick up the victory in the series finale. She allowed seven hits but no runs and struck out one in five innings. Jacque Jackson also pitched in the game, allowing three hits in two innings of work.

Kelly Birk (6-8) picked up her first loss of the week, allowing 10 hits and three runs, two earned.

Southeast was led offensive by Birk and 3B Kristy Roherty who eached were 2-3 on the day. Every starter except 2B Emmy Kisaka recorded a hit for Southeast, but none were able to cross the plate.

Morehead snapped their seven game losing streak overall and seven-game losing streak to Southeast. The Otahkians now lead the all-time series 34-4.

The MSU victory snapped Southeast's three-game winning streak, its longest of the season.

Southeast played the game without Brooke Nett and Jamie Birk, both of whom were injured in Saturday's doubleheader.

Southeast has one OVC contest remaining, next Saturday at home against Tennessee-Martin. Overall they have four games left, a doubleheader at home versus Southern Illinois on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. and another game on Saturday with UT-Martin follow the doubleheader opener that will not count in the OVC Standings.

Southeast can not finish better than fourth in the OVC standings after the loss on Sunday. Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee-Martin have claimed the top three spots. The two teams trailing Southeast, Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay, conclude the regular season against each other next weekend. It the Otahkians were to finish fourth, they would open OVC Tournament play at the number one seed against the number five seed.