April 15, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU,Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team (9-21, 5-5) will play the SMS bears (18-19, 7-9) Wednesday, April 16. The doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. at the SMS Softball field at Springfield, Mo.

The Otahkians are coming off a game win against No. 1 in the OVC, Tennessee Tech last weekend. Tech won the remaining two games in the series but Southeast gave an amazing effort. The Otahkians are currently ranked fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference as released April 14.

Senior Brooke Nett is currently leading the Otahkians hitting .306 with 26 hits, 14 RBI, and 12 runs. Sophomore Kelly Birk is close behind hitting .300 with 21 hits, 13 RBI, and eight runs. Junior Jessica Hunter is heading up the pitching staff with a 3.36 ERA. Hunter has accumulated four wins with 64.1 innings pitched striking out 27.

The Bears are currently ranked sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference as released April 14. Amanda Bean is leading the Bears hitting .322 with 37 hits, five RBI, and 12 runs. Pitcher Shannon Buslepp is leading with 2.05 ERA with six wins. Buslepp has pitched 65 innings with 30 strikeouts.

The Otahkians will be back home this weekend to play host to Morehead State in a three-game series. The doubleheader on Friday will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the single game on Saturday will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Southeast Softball Complex.