Indians' bats went silent in early tournament exit

PADUCAH, Ky. -- No Southeast Missouri State University baseball players were more frustrated by the Indians' showing in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament than Brian Hopkins and Zach Borowiak.

Hopkins and Borowiak were Southeast's heaviest hitters all season, putting up numbers that ranked not only among the OVC's leaders but also high on the national list.

But the two seniors saw their bats go silent during Southeast's three tournament games. Despite entering as one of the favorites, the second-seeded Indians won just once and were eliminated by fourth-seeded Murray State 4-3 Friday.

Hopkins went into the tournament batting .421 with an OVC-leading 18 home runs and 59 RBIs. But he went just 1-for-12 in the three games this week.

"You get in good spurts, and you get in bad spurts. That's the way it goes," Hopkins said. "I felt all right. I just wasn't hitting pitches I should have hit."

Borowiak came into the tournament hitting .385 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs. He went just 2-for-12.

"Me and Hops didn't show up. We pretty much disappeared," Borowiak said. "It's disappointing to finish this way, but it's been a great career for us."

Offense off track

While Hopkins and Borowiak -- who along with other Southeast seniors played big roles on last year's NCAA Tournament team -- struggled to end the season, coach Mark Hogan said they weren't to blame for his team's disappointing tournament.

"The entire offense just didn't get it done this week. We just never really got on track," Hogan said. "Brian and Zach had great careers, and they don't have anything to feel bad about. None of our guys do, especially all the seniors. I don't think they could have given us any more effort."

Seniors Justin Christian and Denver Stuckey -- Southeast's two other top hitters this year -- both went 5-for-13 in the tournament. Christian drove in four runs and had the Indians' only home run.

Senior Tristen McDonald, a fifth .300-plus batter entering the tournament, struggled as well. McDonald went 1-for-11.

Junior Gary Gilbert, who closed the season strong, was Southeast's leading hitter in the tournament at 6-for-12. Senior David Lawson was 3-for-6, while junior Seth Moulton and freshman Aaron Fangman both added three hits.

Indians face rebuilding

Left fielder Hopkins, who finished the season batting .401, second baseman Christian (.376), shortstop Borowiak (.372), third baseman Stuckey (.338), catcher McDonald (.294) and designated hitter Lawson (.261) all completed their eligibility this year and will leave a major void around the field next year.

Throw in OVC Pitcher of the Year Tim Alvarez (14-3, 2.74 earned-run average), who fired the first no-hitter in tournament history and leads the nation in wins, along with reliever James Beever (team-high three saves), and the Indians will be hurt badly by graduation as they shoot for their fifth straight season of at least 30 victories next year.

But the Indians will return a decent nucleus around the field, led by first baseman Gilbert (.301), a converted shortstop who might move to that position next year; center fielder Moulton (.282); right fielder Fangman (.276); and sophomore Eric Hoffman (.242 in a part-time role).

Bringing back pitchers

Quite a few pitchers who came on strong toward the end of the year, including juniors Bill Clayton (4-3) and Stan Skakalski (4-1), and sophomores Ryan Forsyth (5-2) and Jon Nourie (2-3), are also eligible to return, although Clayton could be drafted. In addition, injured senior Donnie Fuller might be granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Hogan and his staff have signed what they believe to be a bumper crop of recruits. Hogan knows next season will be challenging, but he noted that the Indians have lost stellar senior classes before and bounced back well.

"We'll have a new mix, and it should be an interesting year," Hogan said. "I'm excited about the guys coming in, but at the same time, we have a lot of work to do.

"We've turned over teams before and have rebounded. We'll rebound, but it will be interesting."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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