Bears lambast Redhawks 16-3

Missouri State University exploded a bit earlier against Southeast Missouri State this time around.

The end result was the same -- another blowout win for the Bears as they swept a two-game series in Springfield, Mo.

MSU scored 12 runs in the first two innings Wednesday to rout the Redhawks 16-3 behind a 20-hit attack that included three home runs.

MSU erupted for 11 third-inning runs during a 13-2 romp in Tuesday's series opener.

MSU, the preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite, improved to 8-10 with its fourth consecutive win.

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN ~ Springfield News-LeaderMissouri State baserunner Trevor Rogers starts toward third base after the throw to Southeast Missouri State second baseman Tony Spencer goes wide during Wednesday's game in Springfield, Mo.

Southeast fell to 10-8 with its third straight loss.

The Bears have won nine of the past 10 meetings with Southeast and lead the all-time series 60-36.

With an eye on this weekend's Ohio Valley Conference-opening series at Tennessee Tech, Southeast entered Wednesday's game planning to use several pitchers for limited innings.

John Salazar, a junior college transfer making his second Southeast start, was going to be limited to two innings.

He didn't make it that far.

MSU reached Salazar for four runs on five hits in the first inning.

After allowing a two-run single in the second inning, Salazar was lifted without retiring a batter in the frame.

Junior left-hander Josh Syberg relieved and, after walking the first batter he faced, gave up a grand slam to Dallas Hord that made it 10-0.

The Bears didn't stop until they had posted an eight-run second inning to lead 12-0. MSU had 12 hits over the opening two frames.

Salazar (0-2), who entered with a 1.59 ERA in 11 1/3 innings, was charged with eight runs on eight hits.

Syberg gave up four runs and four hits in one inning.

Four more Southeast pitchers saw action, with only Kirk Boeller not allowing a run.

Boeller, a junior from Notre Dame Regional High School, fired off two scoreless innings. He gave up two hits.

Southeast had eight hits against seven MSU pitchers, including one hit and no runs in three innings against starter Pat Doyle (1-2).

Leading Southeast's offense were senior first baseman Matt Wagner and senior left fielder Justin Wheeler with two hits apiece.

Senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings went 0-for-4 to end his 17-game hitting streak. Cummings had hit safely in every contest this season.

Redshirt freshman Blake Dirnberger, a Scott City product, got his first collegiate hit, a seventh-inning single. Dirnberger had received only one official at-bat before Wednesday.

A local product who plays for the Bears also got his first collegiate hit.

Freshman Ryan Modglin from Scott City singled in the seventh inning off junior left-hander Andy Stephens, also a Scott City graduate.

Modglin, who has seen limited action on the mound and at the plate this year, is 1-for-8 on the season after going 1-for-3 Wednesday.

The Redhawks broke up the shutout in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by senior second baseman Tony Spencer.

Trailing 14-1, Southeast tacked on two runs in the seventh -- both unearned -- on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Blake Slattery from Central and an RBI single by freshman Jesse Tierney.

Southeast plays a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Tennessee Tech on Saturday, followed by a 1 p.m. contest Sunday.