Harris adds pop since return to Southeast Missouri State baseball team's lineup

Nick Harris has been on a tear since returning from his second significant injury in a little more than a year.

Harris continued his hot hitting Friday to burn a school from his home state of Alabama with his family in attendance.

Harris' two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning providing the winning margin, helping Southeast Missouri State beat visiting Jacksonville State 9-8 in the opener of a key Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Harris also doubled and went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. He finished the day 4 for 8. JSU won the nightcap 5-2.

"It feels good to contribute," said Harris, whose home run was his first since returning from his latest injury.

Harris, a senior from Alabaster, Ala., is batting .500 (10 for 20) with a home run, three doubles and five RBIs in seven games since returning from a knee injury suffered March 1 against Central Arkansas. He missed nearly six weeks.

Harris, who has been back in action less than two weeks, has boosted his average to a robust .419. He has two homers, five doubles and 11 RBIs in 43 official at-bats.

"I've just tried to keep my mindset the same, not changing anything," said Harris, who primarily has played right field since returning.

Harris is glad to be back on the field after a frustrating run for the player who had been a starter since arriving at Southeast and was named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team.

Harris was in the lineup for last year's Feb. 19 opener at Auburn but injured his right (throwing) elbow during warmups before the next day's game. He missed the rest of the season.

"It was frustrating," said Harris, who received a medical redshirt for his lost 2010 campaign.

Despite missing so much time this year, Harris ranks high on many of the program's career lists.

Harris is tied for sixth in triples (nine), sixth in stolen bases (37), seventh in runs scored (145), seventh in doubles (45), eighth in total bases (330), eighth in at-bats (653), ninth in RBIs (124) and ninth in games started (162).

Harris is just outside the top 10 in career home runs (26) and hits (189).

"It's been tough for Nick with the injuries. I really admire him because I've seen what he's done to get back," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "He's been an outstanding player for us and for him to hit a home run against a team in his neck of the woods, with his family here, I know it was special for him."

The versatile Harris, who also has played center field, shortstop and third base during his Southeast career, grew up about 90 miles from Jacksonville, Ala.

"I've struggled against them [JSU] in years past," Harris said. "It was real satisfying to have a good day at the plate. But if we would have won two, it would have been even better."

Harris said he was recruited by JSU and several other schools in his home state but fell in love with Southeast and the area when he came for a visit while in high school. He hasn't regretted his decision to leave Alabama.

"I felt more at home here," said Harris, a wildlife conservation major. "It's worked out well for me."