The Ohio Valley Conference softball standings are starting to resemble preseason rankings.

After winning just one of its first six conference games, defending OVC champion and preseason favorite Eastern Kentucky University (18-14, 4-5) had a three-game sweep of Austin Peay State University (15-21, 5-5). Austin Peay was ranked sixth in the OVC preseason coaches’ poll.

The Colonels squeaked out a pair of 3-2 wins against the Governors in a Saturday doubleheader. The Colonels dominated the third game Sunday behind a one-run performance by senior Jonelle Csora.

Csora and the rest of Eastern Kentucky’s pitching staff yielded less than one earned run (0.95 ERA) a game in the series against Austin Peay.

While Eastern Kentucky has struggled, Tennessee Tech (27-12, 9-2), who was selected to finish second in the preseason poll, surged.

The Golden Eagles are tied for the lead in the OVC with Tennessee-Martin (19-21, 10-3), the preseason third place selection.

Tech took two of three games from Southeast Missouri State University (9-21, 5-5) last weekend. SEMO won the first game 4-2, but Tech came back to win the other two 4-3, 7-3.

Tech senior first baseman LeeAnne Mongar had a huge series against the Otahkians earning OVC Player of the Week honors. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native batted .462 in the series with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs.

Mongar made her biggest impact in the second game of the series. She hit a two-run double to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and then hit a solo home run to win the game in the bottom of the ninth.

SEMO’s win against Tech helped Tennessee-Martin, who won all three of its games with Morehead State University (6-24-1, 3-6). With the sweep of the Eagles, the Skyhawks were able to gain a game in the standings to tie Tech for the conference lead.

Tennessee-Martin senior Kendra Kosco pitched two shutouts against Morehead and earned OVC Pitcher of Week honors. She allowed just three hits in 12 innings in the two games and lowered her ERA to 2.03.

Eastern (8-24, 3-7) is starting to gain momentum in the conference, but this week will be difficult for the Panthers. After losing to Purdue Wednesday in a doubleheader, the Panthers will face a rejuvenated Eastern Kentucky team.