HATTON GOES ON A HITTIN'S PREE IN WIN OVER ASU

Southeast Missouri State University baseball player Vern Hatton got off to a slow start this season, but it didn't really alarm him.

That's because he's been through it before.

"Last year (in junior college) I started off the same way, a little slow," said Hatton.

If Tuesday afternoon's performance is any indication, then Hatton is definitely out of his early season slumber.

The Indians' touted junior-college transfer center fielder belted a pair of home runs and went 4-for-4 during a 6-4 win over Arkansas State in front of more than 400 fans at Capaha Field.

Southeast is now 9-6 after picking up its second win of the season over ASU, which fell to 6-13.

Hatton drilled a solo homer to right-center field in the fourth inning and delivered a two-run shot to left-center in the sixth.

"Vern started coming on in Oklahoma (last week) and today he had a great game," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "He's a big-time talented player. Some of the plays he makes in the outfield are unbelievable."

Hatton entered Tuesday's contest batting .178 with one home run, but he's now up to almost .250 and he has eight runs batted in over his last four games.

"I've definitely been working hard, hitting extra," said Hatton. "I've been waiting for it to happen. It started a little last week and today was great."

The other main offensive highlight for the Indians Tuesday was sophomore shortstop Zach Borowiak extending his hitting streak to 15 games.

Borowiak, who entered the contest batting .434 to rank second on the team behind second baseman Clemente Bonilla's .452 mark, has hit safely in every Southeast game this season.

While Southeast managed eight hits, four Indian pitchers limited ASU to just three hits and none through the first seven innings.

Starter Greg Lunski (2-1), who picked up the victory, worked four hitless innings.

Mark Frazier gave up an unearned run in the fifth but was not touched for any hits in three innings before running into some trouble in the eighth.

Trailing 6-1, ASU made things interesting. With one out, Kent Brunen broke up the combined no-hit bid with a line single to left and later in the frame Ryan Corrigan belted a three-run homer to right.

Things were interesting in the ninth as well. Southeast relief ace Jeffrey Hilz, who had retired the final batter in the eighth, walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth.

Hogan then called on Brad Purcell, one of his top starters. After Purcell retired two batters, another walk brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the person of Corrigan.

Corrigan sent a ground ball to the right of first baseman Shane Allen, who made a diving stop but threw low to Purcell covering first. However, Purcell made an off-balance scoop and fell into the bag to end the contest.

"Shane and Brad both made great plays to end the game," said Hogan.

Hogan didn't like the fact his pitchers issued nine walks, which gave the visitors plenty of chances even though they did little at the plate.

"When you walk that many, you're creating too many opportunities," said Hogan. "It was a good win, but we've got to cut down those walks, which have bothered us lately."

ASU starter Tommy Goforth (1-2) allowed seven hits and five runs (three earned) in six innings.

Southeast will begin Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend by hosting Morehead State in a three-game series.