DESPITE STRUGGLES IN TOURNEY, SEMO HAD SOLID SEASON

As disappointing as the end was, Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan is proud of what his team accomplished this year.

And Hogan can't help but be excited by the Indians' prospects for next season.

The Indians had just two senior position players and only two senior pitchers -- although they were all key contributors -- on a squad that finished in second place in the Ohio Valley Conference and had a 34-20 overall record.

That probably helps take a little bit of the sting away from the Indians' showing in last week's OVC Tournament. Seeded second, Southeast lost its first two games to be eliminated early.

"We certainly had high hopes for the tournament and to lose our first two games was very disappointing," said Hogan. "But I think we have a lot to be thankful for this season. We had a young club and I'm sure we did a lot better than most people thought we would, maybe myself included."

The Indians were probably expected to be in something of a rebuilding situation this year after they lost the bulk of their offense and the top pitcher from last season's team that was 37-17 and set school records for victories and home runs.

But the Indians reloaded, posting their second-best OVC record ever and finishing with the second-most overall wins in the program's history.

Players earned awards

In addition to the team success, the Indians garnered a couple of major individual awards as junior Todd Pennington was named OVC Pitcher of the Year and junior second baseman Clemente Bonilla garnered OVC Player of the Year honors.

Pennington, who set a school record for wins by going 12-2, had one of the best seasons in OVC history. He was the national earned-run average leader for much of the second half of the season, ending the regular campaign with an unbelievable 0.81 mark.

Although Pennington's final ERA shot up to 1.33 because of a sub-par performance in the OVC tourney, he figures to still be in the running to lead the nation when the final statistics are released after the College World Series. And he should have a solid chance of earning All-American honors.

"Todd just had an unbelievable season," Hogan said.

Bonilla was also mighty impressive, ending with a .382 batting average and setting an OVC record with 61 walks. He also had six home runs, tied for second on the team.

After Bonilla, the Indians' next four leaders in batting average were also underclassmen, including true freshman designated hitter Brad Beatty (.353), who should show up on some Freshmen All-American teams.

Then came sophomore shortstop Zach Borowiak (.313), sophomore third baseman Denver Stuckey (.311) and junior center fielder Vern Hatton (.298), who led the Indians in homers with seven.

Bourbon among seniors

Southeast will lose senior catcher Jeff Bourbon (.296), who had six homers to go along with a team-leading 55 runs batted in, along with senior first baseman Shane Allen (.265).

Other underlcass regulars were sophomore right fielder Tristen McDonald (.286, six homers) and left fielder Brian Hopkins (.256, six homers).

The Indians will also return some key reserves around the field, including sophomore outfielder Brice Nicholas (.326), who actually had Southeast's third-leading average although in just 43 at-bats.

Another player who will be looking to break into the lineup next year is former Notre Dame High School standout Josh Eftink, the area's premier prep slugger two years ago who was redshirted this season.

In the pitching department, the Indians will lose starter Tommy Thomas (4-8, 4.60 ERA) who struggled over the last half of the season after entering the year as the staff ace; and reliever Jeffrey Hilz (5-3, two saves, 3.26), who had a second straight strong campaign.

While Pennington is scheduled to return for his senior season, that is not a given since he is expected to be selected in next month's amateur draft. If he is taken, just how high he goes will likely determine his future as an Indian.

Other top hurlers for the Indians this year were juniors Brad Purcell (5-2, 5.04) and Greg Lunski (4-3, 4.26), with junior Mark Frazier (3-1, 4.57) being particularly strong early and sophomore Andy Davidson (0-0, 5.51) also making solid contributions. Several other pitchers are scheduled to return.

"I think we have the potential to have an outstanding ballclub next year," said Hogan. "Some of our first-year players this year should be that much better next season. I'm really excited about the guys we have coming back."