Southeast Missouri (16-24, 7-12 OVC) at Eastern Illinois (22-17, 12-6 OVC)

Game Information
Dates: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
First Pitch: 5 p.m., CT
Location: Charleston, Ill.
Site: Williams Field
Head Coaches: Lana Richmond (852-637-2 overall, 273-179 OVC, 30^th season); Kim Schuette (190-168-1, Sixth season)

Media Coverage
 
Live Stats: EIUpanthers.com

Redhawk Softball Notebook

Scouting the Panthers
Eastern Illinois, which is third in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, went 2-2 in four games last week. The Panthers were shut out at Indiana State (Apr. 10) before dropping a game to Illinois (Apr. 12) at home. EIU later swept Tennessee Tech on Apr. 15. Bailey O'Dell leads the Panthers with a .390 batting average which is second-best in the league. O'Dell also tops the conference with 15 doubles. Stephanie Mayday boasts a league-best 2.00 ERa inside the circle. Mayday is 12-9 with 141 strikeouts, as well.

Coaching Milestone
Lana Richmond recorded her 850th career victory as Southeast's head coach on Apr. 14. Richmond, who has coached in a total of 1,491 games, holds an overall record of 852-637-2. She has also won 273 Ohio Valley Conference games, leading the Redhawks to OVC Tournament titles in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, and OVC regular-season crowns in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Richmond currently ranks 14th in victories among all NCAA Division I head softball coaches.

Patterson Earns OVC Weekly Honors
Southeast junior outfielder Simone Patterson was named the Adidas Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week on Apr. 16. A native of Topeka, Kan., Patterson hit .714 (10-for-14), with six runs scored, two triples, four RBI and 14 total bases in five games last week. Patterson also boasted a 1.000 slugging percentage and .733 on-base percentage, while recording multiple-hits on three occasions.
 
Close Calls
Eleven of Southeast's 12 conference losses have been by no more than two runs. The Redhawks go head-to-head with the Panthers on Wednesday after dropping two games of a doubleheader in Cape Girardeau on Apr. 4. Southeast looks to extend their five-game winning streak.

Marble Stays Strong in the Circle
Sophomore Alora Marble continues to lead Southeast's pitching staff this season. Marble is 11-11 with a team-best 2.67 ERA in 27 appearances and 21 starts. She leads the Redhawks in complete games (17), strikeouts (75) and innings (154.2). Last week, Marble went 3-0 in three complete games. She gave up only eight runs in 22 innings of work.
 
RBI Machines
Senior shortstop Renee Kertz, who is currently tied for third among Southeast's all-time career leaders in runs batted in (119), leads the team this with 32 RBI this season. Kertz is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. Taylor Cowan and Lindsey Patterson follow close behind with 24 and 23 RBI, respectively. The three combine for 80 of Southeast's 162 total RBI this season.
 
What's On Tap
The Redhawks return home to host Tennessee State in their final home Ohio Valley Conference series of the season. Southeast and TSU will open their series with a 1 p.m., CT, doubleheader Saturday.