March 30, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -

This Week: Southeast Missouri State softball kicks off a five-game homestand at the Southeast Softball Complex this weekend with an Ohio Valley Conference series against Eastern Kentucky, beginning tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. The series concludes Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m.

Scouting The Redhawks: Southeast enters the weekend with a season record of 9-15, which includes a 3-3 mark in OVC play. The Redhawks concluded their 10-game road trip Wednesday by posting a doubleheader split at Evansville, winning the first game by a 5-3 margin before suffering a 7-6 loss over eight innings in the nightcap. Leading the team's offensive output is freshman infielder/pitcher Stacia Dopudja with a .316 batting average that includes with seven doubles, six home runs and 20 RBI. Junior pitcher Elaine Fisher paces the Redhawks' pitching staff with a 6-11 record, a 2.93 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 119.2 innings of work.

Scouting The Lady Colonels: Eastern Kentucky brings a 13-16 record into Cape and is second in the OVC with a 6-2 conference ledger. The Lady Colonels dropped a 2-0 decision Tuesday afternoon at Miami (OH) after taking two out of three games from Jacksonville State last weekend. Leading EKU offensively is freshman infielder Shyenne Hussey, who has produced a .432 batting average, seven doubles, six homers and 24 RBI. Junior infielder Chanze Patterson is tied for the first in the OVC with 11 stolen bases. Senior pitcher Kelsey Anderson has produced a 7-8 record with 94 strikeouts and eight complete games in 90.2 innings. The Lady Colonels are coached by Jane Worthington, who has notched a 413-372 mark in 14-plus seasons at the helm.

Series History: Southeast currently holds a 27-18 advantage in the all-time series with Eastern Kentucky, but the Lady Colonels have won three of the last four meetings after the Redhawks won three straight during the 2005 season. In the teams' last meeting, EKU claimed a 3-0 win to eliminate Southeast from the 2006 OVC Tournament in Cookeville, Tenn.

The First Time: Freshman Stacia Dopudja claimed her first collegiate victory in the first game of last Wednesday's twinbill at Evansville. Dopudja, a native of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., allowed two runs on two hits while posting a strikeout in four innings of work.

Coach Richmond On Eastern Kentucky: "Our match up with Eastern Ky has always been very competitive and both teams battling throughout each inning. We are anxious to play and get back in the mix of the conference race. A solid weekend places us right back in position. Due to injuries we have lost the services of Lauren Bradley and Lindsay Pickering for an extended time, but it lends a opportunity for other players to step up and contribute."

Southeast's Home Run Queen Continues Reign: After capturing Southeast's all-time home run record, junior Michelle Summers is continuing where she left off as she has produced five homers to increase her career total to 26 entering this weekend's series. The Glendale, Calif., native is currently second on the team with a .289 batting average and 13 RBI.

Up Next: Southeast concludes their homestand Tuesday afternoon against No. 18 Southern Illinois in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.