BRIEFLY: SEMO BASEBALL PLAYER WARREN TO HAVE SURGERY

The season for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team has primarily been filled with good news so far, but Monday the Indians received some bad news.

Senior Phil Warren, who leads the Indians in doubles and is fifth in batting, will undergo surgery today for a broken left hand he suffered over the weekend at Austin Peay. Warren, who apparently broke the hand during batting practice, will probably miss about six weeks.

Warren, who has primarily served as Southeast's designated hitter this year, is batting .329 with 13 doubles. He is tied for third on the squad in runs batted in with 19.

"It's really a shame, not only for our team but also for Phil, who is so dependable and gives us so much leadership," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. " It will be interesting to see how the club rallies."

The Indians are 17-5 overall and 4-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play after sweeping a three-game series from host Austin Peay over the weekend. Southeast plays at Arkansas State Wednesday in a 3 p.m. non-league contest.

Meanwhile, Southeast right-hander Tommy Thomas was named the OVC pitcher of the week after going 2-0 last week with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings.

The junior gave up two hits and struck out seven over four innings in a victory over Westminster and then allowed five hits and struck out eight over six innings Sunday as Southeast completed the sweep of Austin Peay.