Southeast Missouri (19-25, 10-13 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (11-31, 3-18 OVC)

Game Information
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, April 21-22, 2012
First Pitch: Saturday: 1 p.m., CT (DH), Sunday 1 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Site: Southeast Softball Complex
Head Coaches: Lana Richmond (852-638-2 overall, 273-180 OVC, 30^th season); Jeff Dabney (22-74, second season)

Media Coverage
 
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Complete Game Notes

Redhawk Softball Notebook

Scouting the Tigers
The Tigers enter this weekend's series coming off a doubleheader split with future conference opponent Belmont. The win over Belmont snapped a 14-game losing streak for the Tigers. Jennifer Givens is hitting a team-best .311 with 42 hits. Givens also leads the Ohio Valley Conference with 31 stolen bases. Shea Morris is Tennessee State's top pitcher with a 3.39 ERA. Morris is currently the league's leader in strikeouts with 156.

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 1,492 games, holds an overall record of 852-638-2. 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
Twelve of Southeast's 13 conference losses have been by no more than two runs. The Redhawks welcome Tennessee State looking to improve their conference record as they work to earn a spot in this year's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Marble Stays Strong in the Circle
Sophomore Alora Marble continues to lead Southeast's pitching staff this season. Marble is 11-12 with a team-best 2.61 ERA in 28 appearances and 22 starts. She leads the Redhawks in complete games (18), strikeouts (76) and innings pitched (160.2). Marble gave up one run on only three hits in Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Eastern Illinois. 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 with 32 RBI this season. Taylor Cowan and Lindsey Patterson follow close behind with 24 and 23 RBI, respectively. The three combine for 79 of Southeast's 162 total RBI this season.

Senior Day
Southeast will honor seniors Stefanie Barnes, Cheyenne Gipson, Shelby Stein, Evan Sallis and Renee Kertz at Sunday's series finale against Tennessee State.
 
Up Next
Southeast crosses the Mississippi River to face Southern Illinois on Apr. 25 before heading to Murray State for its final Ohio Valley Conference series on Apr. 28-29.