Southeast Missouri (12-25, 4-11 OVC)
vs. Eastern Kentucky (26-16, 13-4 OVC),
vs. Morehead State (18-17, 4-9 OVC)
Game Information
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21, 2013
Host: Southeast Missouri State
First Pitch:
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. (doubleheader)
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. (doubleheader)
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Stadium: Southeast Softball Complex
Head Coaches:
Lana Richmond (870-668-2 overall, 31st season);
Eastern Kentucky: Jane Worthington (21st season)
Morehead State: David Williams (second season)
Weather Forecast:
Saturday: sunny, high of 62°
Sunday: sunny, high of 68°
Complete Redhawks Softball Notebook
Scouting the Colonels
Eastern Kentucky is currently in first place in the East division standings. The Colonels are currently 13-4 in conference play, 26-16 overall. As a team, EKU has the fourth best batting average in the conference (.289); as a pitching staff, they hold a 2.90 ERA, fourth best in the OVC. Sarah Fobbs ranks among the best hitters in the conference, batting .353 with nine home runs. OVC Co-Player of the Week Katie Tackett stands with 10 home runs, second-most in the OVC. In terms of individual pitching, Leanna Pittsenbarger has been dominate in the circle for the Colonels. She holds a 2.05 ERA, holds batters to a .205 batting average, struck out 185 batters, and has three saves this season through 32 appearances and 146.2 innings of work.
Scouting the Eagles
Despite sitting towards the bottom of the conference standings, Morehead State holds the best team batting average in the OVC (.317). Elizabeth Wagner is the league's top hitter, batting .419 with 44 hits, eight doubles and 18 RBI. Amber Riddle also ranks among the league's top hitters with a .663 slugging percentage, .492 on base percentage, and 34 RBI. In terms of pitching, Katie Pfost has a 2.70 ERA with 131 strikeouts.
Series Histories
Southeast holds a winning advantage over each of these teams. The Redhawks hold a slight 33-29 advantage over the Colonels and a wide 55-13 advantage over the Eagles. Southeast and Morehead opened conference play in Cape Girardeau last year, Mar. 10-11. Southeast split the doubleheader on Saturday and won the finale Sunday. The Redhawks took on EKU in Richmond, Ky. a week later. Southeast and EKU split the doubleheader Saturday, in which both games went eight innings; and EKU won the series on Sunday with a 4-2 victory.
Last Time Out
Southeast faced off against Eastern Illinois at home Apr. 13-14. The Redhawks and Panthers split Saturday's doubleheader, EIU winning game one, 5-1, and Southeast winning the nightcap, 4-1. The Panther bats were hot in Sunday's game as the Panthers dominated Southeast, 10-1, in the series finale.
31 Years of Excellence
Lana Richmond is in her 31st season as the head coach of the Redhawks. Coach Richmond's career record at Southeast is 870-668-2. She is currently three wins away from capturing her 600th NCAA Division I victory (597-528-2). The five-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year currently ranks 40th in victories of all NCAA division head coaches.
Montgomery Bank Athlete of the Week
Alexis Anderson was named the Montgomery Bank Female Athlete of the Week for the second time this season. Anderson, who hails from Buford, Ga., hit .556 (5-for-9) in a three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference leader Eastern Illinois last weekend. Anderson went 4-for-6 with two home runs helping the Redhawks split a doubleheader with the Panthers Saturday. She then added one hit in Sunday's series finale. Anderson boasted a 1.222 slugging percentage for the week, as well.
Up Next...
The eight-game home swing will come to a close Thursday, Apr. 25 as the Redhawks host regional rival Southern Illinois in a single game beginning at 5 p.m. Southeast will then hit the road for the final regular-season road trip of the season to Austin Peay for a three game series Apr. 27-28.
