INDIANS' ARMS, GLOVES SHINE IN HOME-DEBUT WIN

So far, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball Indians are not playing the way coach Mark Hogan thought they would -- not that he's complaining.

Hogan expected his pitching staff and defense to suffer through some early-season struggles, but he figured his offense would lead the way during that stretch.

Through four games, however, it's been a total role reversal. While the offense has not yet found its groove, the Indians' pitching and defense have been strong.

And it was pitching and defense that primarily sparked the Indians Wednesday as they opened their home schedule with a well-played 3-2 victory over Martin Methodist in front of 415 fans at Capaha Field.

The Indians evened their record at 2-2 while Martin Methodist -- also the Indians -- fell to 2-3. The strong NAIA squad from Pulaski, Tenn., won more than 40 games last season.

"It was a very good ballgame, very well played by both teams," said Hogan. "Martin Methodist is really solid and I knew they would be. They'll win a lot of games. I knew this would be no pushover for us."

While the Indians are batting just .250 as a team so far, their pitching staff has a very respectable earned-run average of 3.71, and Southeast has been solid defensively in every game.

"The defense and pitching are carrying us right now. That's an unexpected surprise and I'm excited about it," Hogan said. "I'm not worried about our offense. I know that will come around."

Southeast played errorless ball Wednesday, making all the routine plays and a few sparkling ones, including a diving catch by right fielder Jeremy Johnson and two impressive plays by freshman shortstop Zach Borowiak.

Borowiak continues to play just like Hogan thought he would, even though he's only a rookie. The Nashville (Ill.) High School product has not made an error and he's batting .313, with a team-high four runs batted in.

"Zach is one of the more exciting young men I've had on any of my teams," said Hogan. "There's really nothing he doesn't do well."

Borowiak had two of Southeast's eight hits Wednesday, and he drove in the eventual winning run when his sixth-inning single gave the Indians a 3-0 lead.

Clemente Bonilla also had two hits for Southeast.

Jody Finn and Jovet Kercado each had two of the visitors' six hits, with Finn driving in both runs.

As for Southeast's pitching, it was sparkling for the most part as Hogan tried to get several hurlers some work.

Dan Huesgen started and worked two scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He struck out two and walked none.

Lanson Debrock then came on and hurled four shutout innings as he received credit for the victory, evening his record at 1-1. Debrock allowed three hits and two walks while fanning three.

Andy Davidson, Southeast's third hurler, ran into trouble as he walked the only two batters he faced to begin the seventh.

Brandon Smith came on and earned a save. He allowed one hit, a single by Finn that plated two runs charged to Davidson, but retired the last eight batters he faced to nail down the victory.

"I thought Huesgen's two innings were good and Debrock had a real solid performance. He didn't really get in any trouble," said Hogan. "Smith has been out with an abdominal strain and he didn't get the okay until yesterday (Tuesday). He's got some really good stuff."

Martin Methodist's hurlers were also impressive. Starter John Ogiltree (1-1) took the loss, allowing five hits and two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. He fanned five and walked one. Joey Tucker gave up three hits but no runs over the final 2 1/3 frames.

"Their pitchers were very good," Hogan said. "We're not hitting the ball yet, but I think the pitching we've faced so far (including a three-game series at Arkansas last weekend) has had a lot to do with that."

Southeast broke on top with an unearned run in the fourth as Jeremy Johnson doubled, went to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch.

The Indians made it 3-0 in the sixth. Johnson walked and Darin Kinsolving singled, then both runners moved up on a passed ball. Johnson scored on a sacrifice fly by Charlie Marino and Kinsolving came home on Borowiak's single.

Martin Methodist made it 3-2 in the seventh on Finn's two-run single, but Smith closed the door after that.

INDIAN NOTES: Johnson, Southeast's standout senior outfielder, is closing in on several more career records.

Johnson needs three hits to break Kyle Yount's record of 215. And he needs 12 RBIs to surpass Steve Williams' mark of 167.

Already Southeast's all-time leader in doubles (54) and runs scored (156), Johnson, in addition to ranking second in hits and RBIs, is also second in triples (10) and at-bats (617)...

The Indians will have a three-game home series this weekend against Big 12 Conference member Iowa State. The squads will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday...

Every Southeast home date this season will feature lucky-number giveaways sponsored by various area businesses and restaurants. The lucky numbers are called in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.