Cardinals test the faith of their fans once more

The Cardinals seemed to be a true team of destiny last year, when they needed a late charge and a historic collapse by the Braves to barely make the playoffs, then rode a miraculous Game 6 comeback against the Rangers to win the World Series.

But as far as destiny goes, fans might have to make room for what transpired late Friday night against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

The Cardinals might not repeat as World Series champions -- that remains to be seen -- but there is no logical explanation for their against-all-odds, ninth-inning rally to win the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

I watched the final few innings of the contest in the Southeast Missourian newsroom after covering a football game in Scott City.

And my thoughts as the ninth inning first unfolded and then ended, to steal a famous phrase from legendary broadcaster Jack Buck, were: I don't believe what I just saw.

Who could have believed it?

The Cardinals, down 6-0 earlier in the game, trailed 7-5 entering the top of the ninth inning. That was still the score when they were down to their last strike on two consecutive batters.

But Yadier Molina and David Freese, after laying off some incredibly tough pitches to take, drew walks to load the bases and keep hope alive for two hitters who struggled offensively most of the season -- one in the majors and one in the minors.

Not to worry. Daniel Descalso tied things with a two-run single. Then Pete Kozma -- who was almost removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster at various times this year because of his minor-league struggles -- delivered a two-run single for the game-winning blow.

I don't believe what I just saw!

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Southeast Missouri State volleyball doesn't attract the attention of the university's high-profile sports like football and basketball, but what the Redhawks are doing so far this year is worthy of plenty of notice.

The Redhawks are in the middle of a sensational season in their resurgence under second-year coach Julie Folliard.

Folliard took over a squad that missed the Ohio Valley Conference tournament the previous two seasons and was coming off a ninth-place finish. She led the 2011 Redhawks to a fourth-place OVC showing and their first conference tournament berth since 2008.

That was just a warmup for 2012.

Southeast, 16-7 overall and 8-0 in OVC play, is off to the program's best start since 2000 and already has surpassed last year's overall win total.

The Redhawks have opened a commanding lead atop the OVC West Division standings and the overall OVC championship, which would mean hosting the conference tournament.

The eventual champion and tournament host could be decided Friday night, when Southeast plays at two-time defending regular-season conference champion Morehead State. The Eagles, also the defending OVC tournament champion, lead the East Division with an 8-0 record.

Friday's match is the only regular-season meeting between the teams this year. The winner will have a leg up on a potential OVC title.

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If you thought OVC football this season already was wild -- well, it keeps getting crazier.

Tennessee-Martin outlasted host Murray State 66-59 on Saturday in the highest combined points total for a game in OVC history.

UTM quarterback Derek Carr set school records of 560 yards passing and seven touchdowns. He completed an astonishing 42 of 46 without an interception.

MSU All-American quarterback Casey Brockman threw for 537 yards and eight touchdowns.

The victorious Skyhawks finished with 693 total yards, while the Racers had 747 yards of offense.

And the good news for Southeast, which put up a good fight during Saturday's 40-28 home loss to undefeated Tennessee State -- UTM visits Houck Stadium this Saturday for the Redhawks' homecoming.

Southeast's struggling defense will face another major challenge.

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Southeast basketball fans will have a chance to get a glimpse of the men's team when the Redhawks hold an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The scrimmage will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Southeast's football game that starts at 1 p.m.

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The Kelly High School softball team, after something of a down season by its standards last year, has made it back to this week's Class 2 final four in Springfield.

The Hawks have made a habit of reaching the state semifinals over the years, and this season's group is just the latest in a long line of outstanding Kelly squads.

Central's softball team didn't make it quite that far, but the Tigers had a surprising run to the Class 4 sectional round, where they suffered a tough 5-4 loss to Northwest. The Tigers led 4-3 with two outs and nobody on base in the seventh inning.

The Tigers were the sixth and last seed for the district tournament, but anybody who saw them play during the season knew they were much better than their record indicates. Central dropped a host of narrow decisions before turning things around in the district.

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Dalhousie Golf Club has hosted some big events, and another one is on the docket this week as the Missouri Class 2 girls state golf tournament will be held today and Tuesday at the impressive facility.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.