May 7, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team (15-27, 11-9) will play Austin Peay (19-28-1, 9-10) in the first round at the OVC Tournament at 2 p.m. on Thursday in Cookeville, Tenn. The Otahkians hold the fourth seed while Austin Peay is fifth.

The Otahkians are becoming more and more consistent nearing the end of the season. Senior Brooke Nett is leading the Otahks hitting .319 with 38 hits including seven doubles, two triples, and three home runs. She has scored 18 runs and is credited with 23 RBI. Defensively, Nett has stolen two bases, has 113 putouts, 88 assists, and a .990 fielding percentage after only two errors all season. Junior Jessica Hunter is leading the staff with a 2.47 ERA and six wins. She has pitched 96.1 innings with three shutouts and 37 strikeouts.

"The success of the team at the tournament will be determined by how well we execute offensively at the plate," said coach Lana Richmond. "Our defense has been very consistent and our pitching has come around consistently in the later part of the season. It will come down to how well we hit."

Austin Peay is coming off a split with #1 Tennessee Tech during their last home games of the season. Jenny Kelley is hitting .331 with 50 hits including six doubles, one triple, and one home run. Kelley has scored 16 runs and is credited with 12 RBI. Holly Ricketts is leading the APSU staff with a 2.38 ERA with seven wins. In her 108.2 innings pitched she has managed 99 strikeouts.

Southeast and Austin Peay met for a doubleheader earlier this season, which ended with a split. Southeast won the first game 5-0 and Austin Peay won the second 2-1.

"We have been able to play every team at least twice and have beaten every team that is in the tournament," said Richmond. "Of any year, the OVC should be a very interesting tournament because everybody has beaten everybody. A single team has not dominated the conference this year."

Revised Times for Thursday's Game:

2:00 p.m.     Game 1: Southeast Missouri vs. Austin Peay

4:15 p.m.     Game 2: Tennessee-Martin vs. Eastern Illinois

6:30 p.m.     Game 3: Tennessee Tech vs. Game 1 winner

8:45 p.m.     Game 4: Eastern Kentucky vs. Game 2 winner