April 26, 2003

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (April 26, 2003) - The Southeast Missouri State softball team (14-23, 10-6) won their doubleheader today against Tennessee-Martin (20-26, 11-8). Southeast also honored their four seniors today, as it was the last OVC home game.

Southeast started the day with small tears among the teammates after honoring their four seniors Katie Cerneka, Alicia Loucks, Brooke Nett, and Kemi Rampi. Those tears soon turned to cheers as Southeast won their first game 3-0. Two sacrifices lead Southeast to one run in the first inning. Loucks singled but advanced to second on an error. Freshman Kate Groden sacrificed allowing Loucks to reach third. Nett was out on the sacrifice fly but Loucks came home earning the Otahkians their first run for the day.

The Otahkians were able to get the final two runs in the fourth. Groden singled to left field and sophomore Kelly Birk singled to right field. Birk and Groden both advanced on a throw. Junior Amy Murphy bunted to first and brought in Birk and Groden. Junior Jessica Hunter pitched all seven innings the first game taking a win to improve her record to 5-7.

During the second game the Otahkians and Skyhawks both scored their runs in bulk. Southeast edged the Skyhawks winning 5-4. No runs were scored until Southeast tallied five runs in the bottom of the fourth. It all started with a double by Nett and a single by junior Alana Bagby-Leonard. Murphy was hit by a pitch and loaded the bases. Junior Marie Coode reached on an error that also brought in two runs. Rampi reached on a fielder's choice with a bunt while Murphy scored. Freshman Lyndsey Webb singled bringing in Coode. Groden reached on a fielder's choice bringing in Southeast's final run by Rampi.

Tennessee-Martin was able to score all four of their runs in the top of the sixth. In the seventh they gave a great effort but Southeast's defense was too strong. The bases were loaded by the Skyhawks when Ramsey hit to Nett at second base. Nett got the out at second and threw to Bagby-Leonard at first for the double play, ending the game.

Next, the Otahkians will be home for their last home game of the season against Saint Louis on Tuesday, April 29. The doubleheader will begin at 4 p.m. at the Southeast Softball Complex.