Complete-game victory

Derek Herbig and Levi Olson both started the season slow, but Southeast Missouri State's battery mates turned in big performances Thursday to help the Redhawks defeat a regional rival.

The Redhawks (5-7), after recently losing three straight games, posted their second consecutive victory, 7-3 over Southern Illinois (7-6) at Capaha Field.

"It's our best win of the year, mainly for the way we played against a good team," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "It was a complete victory, pitching, hitting and defense."

Herbig, a junior left-hander who had by far Southeast's best earned-run average among starters last season, struggled with control in his previous three appearances this year, walking 14 in 11 2/3 innings.

Thursday, Herbig (1-1) carried a shutout into the sixth inning without a walk. He wound up walking two in the sixth before being removed and was charged with two runs, but he did more than enough to notch his first win of the season.

"I felt really good," said Herbig, who allowed just two hits in 5 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts. "I've been working all week, trying to finish off pitches. It really helped me.

"My fastball was good, and I felt like I could throw my curve for strikes any time I wanted. It helps when you don't walk the house."

Olson, a junior college transfer who has been splitting time at catcher with two other players, entered Thursday's contest 0-for-14 this season. He was 2-for-3 against SIU, including an RBI double and two runs scored.

"I had to crack the egg," said Olson, who also threw out a runner trying to steal. "I've been seeing the ball pretty well; I've just been hitting it in the air too much. I have to hit more line drives."

Said Hogan: "Herbig looked good -- the way he pitched the last half of last year. Olson has caught well, and he has some power. He can hit the ball out."

Senior center fielder Frankie Montiel also had two of the Redhawks' nine hits, senior designated hitter Freddy Lopez drove in two runs, and senior third baseman Eric Horstman tripled and scored twice.

The Redhawks, who built a 7-0 lead through five innings, also played errorless baseball.

"It was a good win for us and it should give us some confidence, beating a good team," Herbig said.

Three Southeast relievers combined to limit SIU, which earlier this season beat 16th-ranked Mississippi, to one run over the final 3 1/3 innings, as Hogan continued to utilize his deep and versatile bullpen.

Freshman right-hander Joey Evans continued to impress. Replacing Herbig with two on and two out in the sixth, Evans allowed a two-run double -- the runs were charged to Herbig -- and an RBI double before retiring the final batter.

Evans, who worked a perfect seventh, was removed after allowing a double and retiring two batters in the eighth. In two full innings, Evans allowed three hits and one run while striking out three.

Right-hander Jamie McAlister, a junior college transfer, retired the final batter in the eighth, then allowed a hit and got two outs in the ninth as he worked one full inning.

Hogan called on All-American senior right-handed closer Brad Smith to get the final out, which he recorded via strikeout, although it was not a save situation.

"I love it," Hogan said of his bullpen, which last season consisted primarily of Smith, who was forced to record several multiple-inning saves. "We can do a lot more things this year."

After a scoreless three innings, Southeast broke through with a four-run fourth against SIU lefty Bryan Rueger (2-1), who has been the Salukis' most effective starter so far this year.

Olson got a one-out infield single for his first hit of the season, Bryan Kurt singled, and Horstman walked to load the bases. Lopez singled for two RBIs, another run came home on an error and Jordan Payne delivered a sacrifice fly.

Southeast scored three more times in the fifth to knock out Rueger. Olson had an RBI double and Horstman an RBI triple as the Redhawks built a 7-0 cushion that proved to be plenty.

Kevin Koski and Grant Gerrard each had two of SIU's six hits. Matt Brewer drove in two runs.

The Redhawks host Freed-Hardeman, an NAIA program from Henderson, Tenn., at 3 p.m. Sunday to complete a seven-game homestand.