Down 7-2, Indians rally for opening win at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- After having their season-opener postponed a day, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team came back from a 7-2 deficit to win 8-7 over host Alabama.

The Crimson Tide, which eliminated Southeast last year in the regional playoffs, jumped out to a 7-2 lead after the second inning, but the Indians used a four-run sixth to pull within one. Brian Hopkins, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, had a key two-run double with two outs in the inning.

The Indians completed the comeback with a two-out, two-run inside-the-park home run from Auburn transfer Justin Christian.

"This was just a great win for us to start the year," Indians coach Mark Hogan said.

Tim Alvarez got the win, striking out four of the eight batters he faced.

"I was so proud of some of our new guys," Hogan said.