Redhawks remain in tailspin

Freshman Casey Johnson helped out Southeast Missouri State's worn-down pitching staff with a brilliant performance.

But the Redhawks' offense could not do enough damage to turn Johnson's work into a victory.

Arkansas State snapped a scoreless tie with three seventh-inning runs, and the Indians then exploded over the final two frames to beat Southeast 9-0 in a non-conference contest at Capaha Field Tuesday afternoon.

ASU (19-8) continued its strong season while sending Southeast (8-14) to its seventh loss in the past nine games.

"Right now it's not much fun with us," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "What we've been going through ... it's a tough time for us."

Johnson was tough on the Indians as the left-hander was called upon to start after Southeast went through most of its pitching staff over the weekend in losing two of three during an Ohio Valley Conference-opening series at Murray State.

Johnson, a product of Eureka High School in St. Louis County, shut out ASU on four hits through six innings, with three strikeouts and two walks.

After allowing a one-out double in the seventh, Hogan replaced Johnson with Jamie McAlister. ASU proceeded to score three runs, one charged to Johnson (1-2) as he took the loss.

"Casey threw extremely well; we just gave him no run support," Hogan said. "He will get strong consideration for conference play with what he did. We're really excited about his future."

Johnson, who made one other start earlier this season, has been solid in a variety of roles. His earned-run average is 2.35 over 15 1/3 innings

"I thought their kid did a great job keeping us off balance," ASU coach Keith Kessinger said. "I think he'll be a really good pitcher for them."

What ASU did after Johnson departed made the freshman's work all the more impressive. The Indians, who entered the game with a .306 team batting average, ripped Southeast's bullpen for nine hits and eight runs.

"It was impressive to see, after not doing much for six innings," Hogan said. "It was like two different games."

The Redhawks had been hit with a barrage of narrow defeats in recent weeks -- their six losses during the 2-6 skid had all been by three runs or less, including three one-run defeats and two two-run setbacks -- and until ASU's late barrage, Tuesday's game also looked like it would fit that pattern.

But after scoring three times in the seventh, the Indians got two more in the eighth and then broke things wide open with a four-run ninth.

Kevin Kull and Chris Rich both had three of ASU's 14 hits, including a home run by Kull.

Four ASU hurlers combined on a seven-hitter. Starter Stephen Tharp gave up six hits over 5 1/3 innings as he matched Johnson in a battle of left-handers.

Blake Ring (4-3) was the winner with 1 2/3 hitless innings. Southeast had just one hit against ASU's bullpen.

Frankie Montiel led Southeast with two hits, while Eric Horstman extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

One highlight for Southeast was the return of senior right-hander Bill Clayton, who has had three arm surgeries in the past two years and missed almost all of last season.

Although Clayton's first game action of the year resulted in him allowing four runs in just 1/3 of an inning, Hogan was glad to see him back on the mound.

"I'm very appreciative of all the work he's done," Hogan said.

Southeast resumes OVC play this weekend when Jacksonville State visits Capaha Field for a three-game series.