Indian pitching limits potent Alabama lineup

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Brandon Smith has been Southeast Missouri State University's No. 2 starting pitcher all season -- albeit a strong one -- but Friday night he assumed the role of No. 1 as he was given the ball during the Indians' first-round NCAA Tournament game.

And, despite a shaky beginning, Smith was solid as he helped lead the fourth-seeded Indians to a 7-4 upset of host Alabama, the top seed for the four-team Tuscaloosa Regional.

Smith gave up four runs and four hits in the first two innings, then held the Crimson Tide off the scoreboard the next three innings before getting into trouble and being relieved in the sixth. He wound up allowing seven hits while striking out four and walking five in five-plus innings.

"It was a great opportunity and I was looking forward to pitching tonight," Smith said. "I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to get out of a few jams. It's just great to win."

Smith improved his record to 12-2 as he tied teammate and fellow senior right-hander Brad Purcell for the team lead in victories. Both are also deadlocked for the school's single-season win record that is also shared by Todd Pennington, who originally set the mark last year.

Smith started Friday because Southeast coach Mark Hogan wanted to give Purcell an extra day of rest after the Southeast ace worked a heavy load during the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament that ended Saturday.

"The decision was made yesterday because of the amount of innings Purcey threw in the OVC Tournament," Hogan said. "Obviously we feel great when Smith is on the mound. There's not much difference between the two. They've both had sensational seasons.

"Smith didn't have his best stuff but he stuck it out and gave us what we needed. It was a tremendous effort. And then what can you say about the job Tim Alvarez did."

Alvarez, a junior left-hander, relieved Smith in the bottom of the sixth inning after Alabama's first two hitters reached base. Alvarez escaped the jam with a double play and a strikeout to preserve the Indians' 7-4 lead. He went on to pitch the final four innings and allowed just one baserunner on a single in the ninth. Alvarez struck out two as he recorded his third save of the season.

"I've had some other good performances, but I have to put this right up there," Alvarez said. "I just tried to throw strikes and hope it fell my way."

Purcell, the OVC Pitcher of the Year, will go today as the Indians (37-18) play third-seeded Florida Atlantic (44-18) in the 3 p.m. winner's bracket final. A victory would put Southeast in Sunday's championship round. A loss means they would come back and play an elimination game at 7 p.m. today.

"I feel good about tomorrow's game with Purcey going," Hogan said. "Our pitching staff really couldn't be in much better shape. But Florida Atlantic will be a really tough ballclub."

Florida Atlantic won a wild 16-11 game from second-seeded Auburn in Friday's other first-round contest. The Owls, who hit five home runs, scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning only to see Auburn pull into a 10-10 tie after three innings. A two-run fourth put the Owls ahead for good.