Defense rests in SE loss to Tide

Alabama defeats Southeast 9-4 in error-plagued game.

Southeast Missourian

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- One day after Alabama scored a season high 16 runs it was defense that ruled the day Monday, or lack thereof.

Alabama (5-2) and Southeast Missouri State (1-2) combined for 11 errors and five unearned runs as the Crimson Tide took the rubber match of a three-game set 9-4.

Southeast scored in the first inning as three hitters reached base on three misplays by the Crimson Tide. Brian Hopkins reached on an error by Allen Rice which scored Justin Christian from second.

Southeast starter James Beever shutout the Tide through the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, however, the tide shifted for good. Two misplays by the Indians allowed Alabama to take a 2-1 lead. Zach Borowiak committed two errors in the inning allowing Al Heckslinksi and Evan Bush to score.

In the fifth, senior Tim Alvarez allowed two more runs in relief on two more Southeast errors.

Southeast answered back by knocking Alabama starter Jeffrey Norris out of the game in the sixth. Senior Tristen McDonald singled up the middle and Hopkins hit a two-run home run to cut the lead to 4-3.

Adam Pavkovich continued his hot-hitting for the Tide. Pavkovich hit a two run homer in the sixth to cap a three-run inning. Alabama tacked on two more in the eighth. Brian Reed closed it out in the ninth striking out two and recording his fourth save of the year.

Pavkovich, despite two errors in the field Monday, went 7-for-11 with two home runs and five RBI's in the series. The shortstop went 1-for-3 with three RBI's and two runs in the game.

Norris notched his first win of the season, going 5 2-3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out three. He allowed two earned runs on five hits.

Christian, McDonald and Gary Gilbert each had two hits and a run for Southeast. Hopkins, who led the team in hitting during the series, finished with one hit, two RBIs and a stolen base. Freshman Aaron Fangman also had two hits.

Southeast outhit Alabama 9-8 but left eight men on base.

Beever (0-1) was charged with the loss. Beever pitched 3 1-3 innings. He allowed only one earned run on three hits while fanning one and walking one.

Southeast's weekend series against Memphis, scheduled for Cape Girarduea, is in doubt. The Indians may play the series on the road. Wednesday' road game against St. Louis University has been canceled.