HITTING STREAK `KERRY'S ON'

Southeast Missouri State University's eight-hit offense Saturday included a three-run homer and a ringing double, but no hit stirred the crowd more than an eighth-inning bunt single in the Indians' 4-1 victory over Austin Peay.

The bunt down the third-base line came off the bat of Kerry Robinson and extended his hit streak to an Ohio Valley Conference-record 32 games. It is also the longest current college streak in the nation.

Entering Saturday, Sean Casey of Richmond, Va., University had a 30-game hit streak and had a chance to tie Robinson in a doubleheader against George Mason. But Casey's streak stopped at 31 games with an 0-for-3 performance in the second game.

"This is a big day for our baseball program and the whole athletic program," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "A 32-game hit streak is unheard of on any level."

Robinson, a senior center fielder out of St. Louis, broke the OVC mark in dramatic fashion. He had tied the 14-year-old OVC mark Friday night in the second game of a doubleheader against the Governors with a hit in his first at-bat. He ultimately upped his season average to .394 with a 4-for-8 night at the plate.

It wasn't as easy Saturday as the suspense mounted with ground outs to second base in the first and fourth innings and a walk in the sixth.

Due to a three-run home run by Mike Miller in the fifth inning, Southeast took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth, which would likely hold the final at-bat for Robinson.

Kris Blum led the inning off with a single and Robinson, Southeast's leadoff hitter, came to the plate.

"When he came up the last time we told everyone to get up and cheer him on cause we wanted Kerry to keep his streak alive," said Indian third baseman Rex Crosnoe. "The ballgame was the important thing, but we wanted him to keep it going."

Hogan flashed the bunt signal to Robinson and then took it off. Robinson, swinging away, fouled off the first pitch from Austin Peay lefthander Jeff Taylor, the Governor starter. Robinson then called timeout, stepped back in and laid a bunt down about eight feet from home on the third base side.

Robinson said he bunted on his own in an attempt to both move the runner over and get on base.

"As soon as he got it down I knew it was a good bunt," said Hogan.

"I just took off," said Robinson. "It didn't get as far as I wanted. I believe the catcher fielded the ball and that's not good. I got lucky with my speed."

Catcher Ryan Bennett fielded the bunt but Robinson had already flashed across the first base bag by the time the throw arrived. Many in the listed crowd of 513 gave Robinson a standing ovation.

He was handed the game ball by Hogan and he took it to his teammates at the dugout.

"I can't say I felt any pressure at all," said Robinson. "If it ended at least I tied it. I was happy I did it for everyone else. I didn't know it would be this big a deal. I was really surprised they stopped play."

Robinson ultimately was stranded on base, but that mattered little as Southeast starter Jason Swearingen retired Austin Peay in the ninth for the win.

"It was nice to see Kerry get the hit in the eighth," said Miller. "Thirty-two games is a lot of games to get a hit in. The whole team is always behind him, he gives 100 percent all the time."

Miller suspected Robinson would bunt in the situation.

"I figured he was," said Miller. "If he gets the ball down he always has a chance. If I had his speed I'd do the same thing."

Robinson will get the opportunity to build on his record OVC streak on Monday in a doubleheader at Northeastern Illinois.

"I have the record now," said Robinson. "I can go out and play and be real relaxed. There's nothing to be nervous about anymore. I have faith things will happen for me."