Indians extend winning streak

Southeast Missouri State University's current season-best six-game winning streak has featured strong contributions from virtually its entire lineup -- and never was that more evident than during Saturday's doubleheader sweep of visiting Tennessee Tech.

Two of the Indians' more unsung players, Brady Noll and Bo Jenkins, were among the top stars as Southeast won a pair of closely contested games, 5-3 in the nine-inning opener and 3-2 in the seven-inning nightcap.

The Indians (24-23, 13-9) moved above the .500 mark for just the second time this season, took over sole possession of fourth place in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference and clinched a spot in the six-team OVC tournament. Southeast also pulled to within one-half game of second place in the league.

"I can't be more proud of our club," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "A couple of weeks ago we were on the ropes, but we've bounced back and the team is playing very well right now."

Jenkins, Southeast's last-place hitter, belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning of the opener to put the Indians ahead to stay at 4-3. The second baseman -- a junior college transfer who, like many of his teammates, is in his first season at Southeast -- is batting just .230 but he has improved offensively in recent outings. And his defense has remained solid all year.

"I feel really good now at the plate, like I did at the beginning of the year," said Jenkins, who has five homers this season. "And the team is really playing well now, which is great. Hopefully we can keep it up."

Noll, the Indians' No. 8 hitter, drilled a two-run homer off the scoreboard in left field in the fourth inning of the nightcap to put Southeast up 3-2 and complete the day's scoring. The catcher, also a junior college transfer in his first year at Southeast, has overcome a slow start to raise his average to .304. It's the first time he has been above .300 all season.

"I started off slow but I'm seeing the ball better now," said Noll, who also has five homers. "We struggled for a while but it's good we're picking it up now."

Noll went 3-for-6 on the day as the Indians had 17 hits, including 10 in the opener. Junior left fielder Eric Horstman also was 3-for-6 while junior center fielder Frankie Montiel went 3-for-7 and got his team-leading 18th double. Noll matched Jenkins with three RBIs.

"We got a lot of production from the bottom of the lineup," Hogan said. "Noll has really come on and Jenkins, even when he was struggling at the plate, never let it affect his defense."

Southeast's pitching also had plenty of highlights.

Mike Fitch (5-4) won the opener despite a shaky start that saw Tech grab a 2-0 lead after two innings. In 6 2/3 innings, the junior right-hander allowed eight hits and three runs (two earned), with five strikeouts and one walk.

Brad Smith then attained another milestone with his 10th save, a 2 1/3-inning performance that featured just one hit allowed and two strikeouts. The junior right-hander, who had already broken Southeast's single-season saves record, tied the school's career mark even though he is in his first season.

"Fitch really settled down, and what can you say about Smith. He just continues to be amazing," Hogan said.

In the nightcap, starter Derek Herbig left after 3 2/3 innings, partly because he has been having arm problems and partly because he had already thrown 96 pitches. The sophomore left-hander allowed four hits and two runs (one earned).

Senior left-hander Stan Skakalski (3-0) was the winner as he retired two batters, but he left after throwing a pitch and going down in pain with what appeared to be an elbow problem that has bothered him off and on this year.

Junior right-hander Ryan Forsyth notched his first save with 2 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just one hit. The tireless Smith was warmed up and ready to go, but Forsyth made sure he wasn't needed.

"I knew if I got in any trouble Brad would come in, but it was good to give him some rest," Forsyth said.

It was an eventful day for Forsyth, who attended his grandmother's funeral in Illinois on Saturday morning and did not arrive at Capaha Park until late in the opener.

"I didn't even know if he would be here today," Hogan said. "To come back like that and then pitch so well was something."

Tech (14-28, 9-14) had 14 hits on the day, led by J.D. Druckenmiller's 4-for-4 performance in the opener that featured his seventh homer. The Eagles' pitching was also solid.

"They gave us all we wanted," Hogan said. "They're a lot better than their record."

Southeast will shoot for the series sweep today when the Indians play their final home game of the season at 1 p.m.