Creighton bats rock Southeast

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team's record has taken a hit after a strong start, but the Redhawks have been highly competitive even during their losses.

That changed in a big way Tuesday afternoon as the Redhawks began a four-game homestand with by far their most lopsided defeat of the season.

Perennial Missouri Valley Conference power Creighton pounded the Redhawks early and often during a 17-2 romp at Capaha Field.

Southeast fell to 9-9, losing for the ninth time in 13 games after beginning the year 5-0 for the first time since 1995.

"We just came out flat, not ready to play," sophomore Jason Blum said. "Not to discredit them [Creighton], they played a good game."

Southeast, which allowed a season-high run total, had not suffered a loss by more than five runs. Six of their eight defeats were by four runs or fewer.

"I was very disappointed in our pre-game, I guess. It looked like we didn't come out ready to play," first-year Southeast interim coach Steve Bieser said. "They exposed that. They're a good team."

Bieser acknowledged that "you're going to have games like this."

What disappointed Bieser is the lack of fight the Redhawks showed, which he emphasized has not been an issue in other games.

"It's not this team. ... they've shown us that they will fight when they get down," Bieser said. "This is the first time I saw us give up. It's not acceptable."

Southeast starter Luke Shearrow allowed three runs in less than two innings Tuesday against Creighton. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State’s Ryan Barnes attempts a steal at second base but was tagged out by Creighton shortstop Staehely in the second inning Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

Creighton, which has averaged 36 wins over the past nine years and has earned two straight NCAA tournament berths, improved to 7-3 despite not having yet played a home game.

"We're getting better," said Creighton coach Ed Servais, whose squad actually had a rare losing record of 28-30 a year ago and finished last in the MVC but regrouped to win the conference tournament. "We've got a young team. Half our squad is brand new."

The Bluejays entered Tuesday leading the MVC with a .315 batting average while scoring 7.2 runs per game.

Creighton added to those figures against Southeast by pounding out 13 hits, including two home runs. The Bluejays also took advantage of five errors, seven walks and four hit batters. Six of their runs were unearned.

"They gave us a lot of opportunities and we swung the bats well during the middle of the game," Servais said.

Southeast's offense couldn't get much going against eight Creighton pitchers as the Redhawks had only four hits. Three came off the bat of Blum.

"A lot of errors. We actually had more errors than hits. You're not going to win any games like that," Blum said.

The Redhawks grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an unearned run and might have had more.

Sophomore Dalton Hewitt's sacrifice fly scored Blum, who had led off with a single. Southeast had runners on first and second with two outs when freshman Branden Boggetto sent a drive over left fielder Brad McKewon's head that looked like a sure double.

But McKewon raced back and totally laid out to make a spectacular catch, likely saving two runs.

"You don't know how that game turns if he doesn't make that catch. It could have been 3-0. ... we pride ourselves on defense," Servais said.

Southeast Missouri State's Jason Blum singles against Creighton in the first inning Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

Creighton answered right back with five second-inning runs on three hits and two errors -- two runs were unearned -- and the rout was on.

The Bluejays, leading 8-2, broke things wide open with a seven-run sixth inning.

Blum drove in Southeast's second and final run with a fourth-inning infield single.

Southeast planned to use plenty of pitchers and seven wound up taking the mound.

Junior college transfer Luke Shearrow (0-2) started and took the loss, allowing three runs and two hits in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out one and was hurt by three walks.

The only Southeast hurler to emerge unscathed was freshman Alex Siddle, who worked a scoreless inning.

Redshirt freshman Andy Lack, normally a shortstop, made his first collegiate pitching appearance. He gave up two runs, one earned, and one hit over the final two innings. He struck out three and walked two.

McKewon drove in four runs for Creighton. Jake Peter had three hits, including a homer, and three RBIs. Mike Gerber also homered.

Southeast resumes Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend with its first league home series against defending OVC regular-season co-champion Eastern Kentucky. The Redhawks and Colonels are both 1-2 in conference play.

Games are set for 5 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

"We've got to come out ready to play," Blum said.