April 8, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team (7-18, 3-1) will travel to Charleston, Ill. Wednesday to play the Eastern Illinois Panthers (5-22, 0-5). The first pitch will be thrown at 2 p.m. at Williams Field.

The Otahkians are coming off a split doubleheader with Austin Peay last weekend. Currently, powerhouse Alana Bagby-Leonard and senior Brooke Nett are leading the Otahkians offensively. Bagby-Leonard is hitting .292 with 19 total hits including two homers and three doubles. She has scored six runs and has been credited with 11 RBI. Nett is close behind hitting .290 with 20 hits including four doubles, one triples, and one homerun. She has scored nine times for Southeast with 11 RBI.

Junior Jessica Hunter is leading the pitching staff with a 3.73 ERA. She took the win at Austin Peay improving her record to 3-4. Hunter has pitched 50.2 innings striking out 26 and walking only nine opponents.

The Panthers are coming off of a rough weekend loss to Tennessee-Martin in a doubleheader. Kari Hagerty is leading the Panthers offensively hitting .263 with 20 hits and one RBI. Kristen Becker is leading in pitching with 3.03 ERA after pitching 92.1 innings, four wins, 47 strikeouts, and 17 walks.

The Otahkians will be in Cookeville, Tenn. this weekend as they face Tennessee Tech in a three-game series. There will be a doubleheader on Saturday with a single game on Sunday. Games will begin at 1:30 p.m. on both days.