CYCLONES IN FORECAST FOR CAPAHA PARK

Despite an 0-3 start to the season, Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan is far from discouraged with his team.

In fact, if anything, Hogan is even more encouraged now than he was prior to last weekend's three-game sweep at Mississippi.

Area fans will get a first-hand look at the 1998 Indians Saturday when they open their home schedule by facing Iowa State in a noon doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Southeast and Iowa State will also have a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.

"I was very pleased overall (with the Mississippi series) despite going 0-3," said Hogan. "We played exceptionally well on defense and our front-line pitching did a good job."

Hitting, which Hogan considers to be the strength of his squad, struggled at Ole Miss -- the Indians batted just .200 as a team -- but Hogan isn't overly concerned.

"Our hitting was not there last weekend, but there were signs it will come," he said. "I still think we will be a very good hitting ballclub."

Despite losing all three games at Southeastern Conference member Ole Miss, the Indians held late leads in every contest and could have very easily come away with at least two wins.

During Friday's 7-4 loss, Southeast led 3-2 in the eighth inning. During Saturday's 4-3 setback, the Indians led 3-2 in the ninth before a two-run homer won it for the Rebels.

"We were right in every game," Hogan said.

Jason Swearingen -- the Indians' only senior -- and junior-college transfer Ryan Spille both had impressive starting pitching performances last weekend as neither figured into any of the decisions.

Swearingen and Spille are scheduled to start Saturday's games.

Offensively, juco transfer shortstop Steve Lowe got off to a solid start by batting .308 (4-for-13) in the three games. Brad Hoehner was 2-for-5 (.400).

Another juco transfer, slugging outfielder Charlie Marino, had just two hits in nine at-bats but he drove in six runs, four coming on a grand slam that marked the Indians' only home run of the weekend.

Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference went 21-31 overall and just 6-21 in league play last year. The Indians and Cyclones have never met before in baseball.

"They are a Big 12 school, so they have to be an outstanding program," said Hogan. "We should have some excellent baseball at Capaha this weekend."