March 12, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State Softball team (3-6) will head to Rock Hill, S.C. to participate in the Winthrop Tournament March 14-16 followed up by two doubleheaders with Marshall and Middle Tennessee State University.

The Otahkians will look to these games to set the tone to open up their conference season. The Otahkians are guaranteed eight games in the next week and if they do well they may play up to 10 games.

"I look at these eight to 10 games as the final act before curtain call of the conference season," said coach Lana Richmond. "This is the time we have to prepare for the long haul of the season."

Coach Richmond is pleased with the offense, which will continue to improve, and the consistent defense. The pitching has to improve, however, before the results will improve. These next few games will be the perfect opportunity for the team to improve their pitching. Richmond knows it will all come along they just may have to juggle innings with all four pitchers.

The opposition this week will include Toledo (1-9), UNC-Greensboro (14-3), Akron (7-6), and Pittsburgh (4-14) at the Winthrop Tournament. The Otahkians will also face Marshall (15-5) on Monday and avenge Middle Tennessee State (10-5) on Thursday.

"We will face a good mix of midwest and eastern teams," said Richmond. It will be a very competitive week with quality teams. Realistically we should do well."

Southeast is a little banged up from the last few games but they should be ready to go by Friday. The Otahkians have no games this week so they will be able to rest up and mentally get prepared. Richmond says it is also a good time to walk through and review areas that need to be polished at practice.

The Otahkians will be back home on March 26 to take on Southern Illinois. The doubleheader will start at 4 p.m. at the Southeast Softball Complex.