Eight unearned runs lift MTSU over Indians

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team just can't shake the error bug.

The Indians committed three errors to bring their three-game total to 14, and that led to eight unearned runs in an 11-9 non-conference loss to Middle Tennessee State. With the loss Southeast drops to 18-11, while Middle Tennessee improves to 18-19.

Southeast fell behind 4-0 in the bottom half of the first inning when the Blue Raiders touched up Southeast starter Ryan Forsyth right out of the gates. Forsyth kept the Indians in the game despite allowing six runs, four unearned, and Southeast continued to chip away through the middle innings, cutting the lead to 6-4 after six innings.

After the Indians tied the score in the top half of the seventh, the Blue Raiders quickly struck back with a run in the bottom half of the inning to go ahead 7-6. Southeast fought back again in the eighth inning and scored three runs to take their first lead of the game at 9-7.

With an important three-game conference series ahead, the Indians sent third baseman Denver Stuckey to the mound in the seventh inning for his first work of the season. After throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings, Stuckey was touched up for four unearned runs in the ninth to pick up the loss.

Southeast's offense once again had a big day, despite the loss. Brian Hopkins, Justin Christian and Seth Moulton each went 3-for-5 and scored two runs apiece. Christian led with three RBIs and a home run. Stuckey went 2-for-6, and David Lawson went 2-for-4 for Southeast.

The Indians left 10 men on base.

Softball drops first game; rain cancels Game 2

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The rain came too late for the Otahkians softball team after they managed two hits in a loss to Southwest Missouri State 8-0. The second game of the doubleheader was called due to rain.

Alana Bagby-Leonard and Kelly Birk had the only two hits in a five-inning loss by the Otahkians (5-22). Birk started for the Otahkians, going four-plus innings and allowing nine hits and four earned runs.

Larissa Shepberd was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead SMS, which is 19-19. Christy Serwein was 3-for-3, and Amanda Bean and Staci Mattie were 2-for-3 apiece for Southwest.

-- From staff reports