May 8, 2004

SU Box Score Game 1

SU Box Score Game 2

Birmingham, Ala. - Southeast Missouri State (15-32, 10-13 OVC) softball team lost a twinbill with Samford (26-31, 16-9 OVC) this afternoon, but other things fell into place for the squad. Going into the weekend's game Southeast was in sixth place in the league ahead of seventh place Austin Peay. Southeast needed just win or needed Austin Peay to loss one to ensure an OVC tournament bid. While Southeast fell in both games today, so did APSU, falling 4-1 and 8-3 to Tennessee-Martin to eliminate themselves from the race and hand the Otahks the final bid.

Southeast met with strong Samford pitching this weekend as SU's Erin Landburg, Susanna Meyer and Emilee Lewis combined to hold to scoreless on just six hits. Southeast gave-up seven hits and two runs in both games losing 2-0 in back-to-back competition.

Two walks in the first inning helped Southeast threaten early, but they couldn't capitalize on the opportunity stranding two. After that the game saw limited action until Samford took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Designated player Shelley Stanley did her part as a double to lead off the frame, moving to third on a wild pitch. Secondbaseman Kelly Smith then drove her in on a sacrifice fly, but reached base a Otahk rightfielder Kelly Birk misplaced the ball.

The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Smith led-off with a single and moved to second when firstbaseman Jenna Dempski was walked and advanced to third on a bunt single by Abi Casillo. With the bases loaded, a passed ball allowed Smith to score and make it a two-run lead.

Southeast's Amy Fahnestock (9-11) pitched her tenth complete game of the season striking out four and giving up two runs. SU's Landsburg (10-14) also pitched a complete game, giving up two early walks but rallied to shutout of Otahks.

In the nightcap, Samford's two-run thrid inning was enough to take the win. Samford recorded back-to-back singles in front of a double by Smith to score the first run. Then Samford used another sacrifice fly, this time to left field to make the score 2-0.

Southeast Missouri (15-32, 10-13 OVC) threatened in the seventh inning picking up two hits and a walk to load the bases. With two outs, Suzi Lair flew out to left field to end the game.

Kelly Birk took the mound for the Otahks, allowing two runs in 2.1 innings of work. Jessica Hunter came in to wrap-up the game, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings. She allowed two hits, but didn't give up any walks.

Samford and SEMO will wrap up the regular season on Sunday at 1 p.m.