Evans salvages nightcap vs. JSU

After yet another disheartening loss Saturday, Southeast Missouri State desperately needed a major pick-me-up.

The Redhawks received it from a rookie.

Joey Evans, a freshman right-hander, pitched a seven-inning shutout to lift Southeast past Jacksonville State 3-0 in the finale of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader at Capaha Field.

In the nine-inning opener, the Gamecocks (10-14, 3-2) scored three runs in the final frame to post a 6-3 victory and send the Redhawks (9-15, 2-3) to their eighth loss in 10 games. Seven of those setbacks were by three runs or less.

"We've really had some tough losses, and we had another one today," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "For Joey to go out and do what he did, as a true freshman with a lot of pressure on him, was tremendous.

"He was masterful. He's a fabulous young prospect for us, but it's not anything we've been surprised about. We've seen it in practice situations many times."

Evans has been solid much of the season -- primarily out of the bullpen -- but Saturday he received his first OVC start and only the second start of his college career.

A native of Whitehouse, Texas, Evans (2-3) allowed five singles while striking out six and walking one. Two of JSU's five hits never left the infield.

"I was ready," said the strapping Evans, listed as 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 210 pounds. "A lot of guys could have started, but I got some confidence from the coaches and I felt good."

Evans, who lowered his earned-run average to 3.00, faced his most serious trouble in the fifth inning, when the Gamecocks had their only three clean hits.

After Evans retired the first two batters, Bret Pettus and Winston Pearson singled, then Clint Carroll followed with a single to left that threatened to cut into Southeast's 2-0 lead. But senior left-fielder Bryan Kurt threw a strike to junior catcher Levi Olson, who tagged Pettus just before he reached the plate to end the threat.

"I left some balls over the plate in the fifth, but Bryan made a heck of a throw and Levi made a great tag at the plate," said Evans, who added with a grin, "That right there was my second wind."

Evans, who is from the same hometown and attended the same high school as Southeast All-American senior closer Brad Smith, had confidence in his ability, but he didn't know how much work he'd receive as a freshman.

"But the coaches had a lot of confidence in me coming in," Evans said. "I'm glad to be helping out."

Added Southeast senior second baseman Bo Jenkins: "We've had a lot of bad stuff go against us, and the first game was a tough one to lose. But Joey really came through for us."

Olson, senior third baseman Eric Horstman and senior designated hitter Freddy Lopez all were 2-for-3, as Southeast supported Evans with seven hits off JSU right-hander Jon Clements (1-3), who went the distance. Olson, Kurt and senior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte each drove in a run.

Opening loss

Southeast also received a strong starting pitching performance in the opener, as junior left-hander Derek Herbig allowed four hits and three runs in seven-plus innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

But junior right-hander Jamie McAlister (1-3), who worked a scoreless eighth inning as he replaced Herbig after the starter allowed a leadoff walk, gave up three runs and three hits in the ninth as JSU broke a 3-3 tie.

"Derek really threw outstanding," Hogan said. "We've been struggling with our relief right now."

The Redhawks outhit the Gamecocks 10-7 in the opener, but in something of an oddity, JSU had all of its hits in two innings -- the third, when it scored three times, and the ninth, when it also plated three runs.

Jenkins extended his hitting streak to eight games by going 3-for-4, although the streak ended in the nightcap. Lopez went 2-for-5, making him 4-for-8 on the day, while Bracamonte went 2-for-4. Lopez, junior first baseman Jordan Payne and junior right fielder Chris Gibson each drove in a run.

Horstman had a hit and, coupled with two in the nightcap, has a 16-game hitting streak.

But Southeast could not come up with the big blows against JSU right-handers Josh Forrest and Donovan Hand. Hand (4-1), a freshman, allowed three hits and one run over the final four innings for the victory.

Carroll had three of JSU's 12 hits on the day.

The squads will close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today with a nine-inning contest.

"Jacksonville State has a very good pitching staff, and so far there have been two really good games," Hogan said. "This last one is a big game for several reasons, mainly for our confidence. We really need to win."