Braves depart with sweep

Southeast Missouri State's baseball team concluded a lost weekend Sunday afternoon as Bradley rolled 8-3 at Capaha Park to complete a three-game sweep.

The Braves (6-2), who swept Saturday's doubleheader, outscored the Redhawks (3-7) 15-4 in the series as their pitchers limited Southeast to just 17 hits in 23 innings. The Redhawks scored in only two of the 23 frames.

"They really have an outstanding pitching staff," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "You have to give all the credit to Bradley this weekend. They just mowed us down. I can't ever remember being swept like that here.

"What happened is hard for me to explain, even with the arms they have. Our offense was so anemic, I just can't believe it. It's very disappointing."

Bradley coach Dewey Kalmer knew that pitching would be his squad's strength this season, and so far he hasn't been disappointed. The Braves' team earned-run average through eight games is barely above 2.00.

"Pitching is the strength of our team," said Kalmer, whose squad has posted six straight wins after opening the year with two losses. "And a couple good ones didn't even throw this weekend."

Two right-handers shut down the Redhawks Sunday, with starter Collin Walker (2-0) gaining the victory. In five innings, he allowed seven hits and three runs, with three strikeouts and one walk.

Michael Christi finished up and dominated Southeast with four no-hit innings, fanning seven and walking two.

The Braves also displayed solid offense Sunday with 11 hits, led by third baseman Paul Rice's 4-for-4 performance that capped an incredible 10-for-12 weekend.

Justin Carr homered, doubled and drove in two runs; Brad Canada had two hits and two RBIs; and Joe Napoli added two hits.

Bradley also turned in the defensive play of the game -- and perhaps the season -- as center fielder Brian LaJeone left his feet and stretched out as far as possible to rob Jordan Payne of at least a double.

Southeast Missouri State University's Ernie Bracamonte lost control of the ball as he attempted to stop the stolen base play by Bradley's Brian LaJeone during the fourth inning of Sunday's, March 6, 2005, game at Capaha Field.

"Bradley was very impressive this weekend," Hogan said.

Sunday's offensive highlight for Southeast was Bo Jenkins' two-run homer in the fifth inning, when the Redhawks scored all three of their runs to pull within 7-3. But they got no closer. Jenkins, a natural right-handed batter who is switch-hitting for the first time this season, homered over the right-field fence while batting left-handed.

Eric Horstman had an RBI single in the fifth, while Payne and Bryan Kurt both doubled as Southeast got four of its seven hits in the frame.

Right-hander Andy Johnson, who had been impressive previously, struggled with his control and took the loss. Johnson (0-1) allowed three hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings. He hit four batters and walked one.

"We didn't have any good starts this weekend from any of the guys," Hogan said.

Ryan Forsyth, another right-hander, finished up and was solid, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings. He fanned eight without a walk.

Southeast will play the fifth of seven straight home games today when South Dakota State visits for a 3 p.m. first pitch.