May 5, 2004

Charleston, Ill. - The Southeast Missouri State (15-31, 10-11 OVC) softball team took an early two-run lead in the second to a 2-1 final over the Eastern Illinois (20-33, 8-16 OVC). Southeast continues to battle for an OVC bid as they enter their final three-game series this weekend. The Lady Panthers are now eliminated from the OVC tournament hunt.

With early one-two outs in the second, a three hit, two RBI inning proved to be enough for the win. Center fielder Lindsay Pickering began the rally for Southeast with a double down the left field line. Lyndsey Webb followed with another double down the line, this one of the bloop variety that fell just out of the reach of EIU's left fielder Cassandra North, driving in Pickering to score. Amy Murphy then plated Webb with another hit that caught the chalk of the same left field line giving Southeast a the 2-0 edge.

In the sixth Eastern threatened a comeback as Chelsea Adams led off the frame with her fourth home run of the season. Katy Steele followed with a walk but the Southeast defense rallied behind starting pitcher Amy Fahnestock to put out three straight. A pair of fielder's choices and a spectacular diving catch in foul territory by second baseman Suzi Lair, stranded one on base and halted the Cats scoring attempts.

After catcher Sandyn Short grounded out to begin the seventh, Irps drew a walk, putting the tying run on base. Fahnestock finished what she started though by retiring the next two hitters to earn the victory.

Fahnestock (9-9) struck out four and walked three in her ninth complete game effort. The 'Cats' Andrea Darnell also thrown a complete game, picking up the loss. She allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking one.

Catcher Lyndsey Webb led the squad, going 2-for-3, including her RBI-double in the second inning. Webb also tallied the squad's game-winning run. Junior Kelly Birk also went 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Otahks will now travel to Birmingham, Ala. to face Samford (24-31, 14-9 OVC) in their final regular season contests. The squads take the field Saturday, May 8 for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader, followed by a 1:00 p.m. solo-contest the next day.