Indians finish off sweep

Tim Alvarez came to Southeast Missouri State University expecting to be a key player.

He has turned out to be, but certainly not in the way he originally anticipated.

Alvarez, a converted first baseman, recorded his third straight strong pitching performance Sunday to help the Indians rout Tennessee-Martin 12-2.

The Indians, who completed a three-game weekend sweep in front of nearly 800 fans at Capaha Field, improved to 17-13 overall and 7-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play as they solidified their hold on first place. The Skyhawks are 11-22 and 3-8.

Alvarez (2-0) worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs. He struck out two and walked one in his first conference start of the year.

A 6-foot-4 left-hander, Alvarez began the season as Southeast's starting first baseman after transferring from Eastern Arizona Junior College. But after getting just one hit in his first 15 at-bats, Alvarez was yanked from the lineup.

"I just didn't hit. I just didn't play very well," Alvarez said. "You can't keep somebody in the lineup if they're not hitting."

Alvarez said he made a couple of spot starts on the mound last year in junior college, but that was it. And the Indians tried him some on the mound during their fall workouts, but he said he had little success.

But after struggling at first base and losing his starting position, Southeast's coaches suggested Alvarez work with a sidearm motion on the mound. And, presto, he's had solid results ever since.

"I had never thrown from the side, but I picked it up pretty good," he said. "I hated not being able to contribute. It's nice to help the team."

With Southeast in search of a third starter for OVC play behind aces Brad Purcell and Brandon Smith, Alvarez is right now just what coach Mark Hogan and his staff have been looking for.

"That's his third good outing in a row," Hogan said. "He's a tough guy because he throws from the side. He struggled early in the year at first base, but he's made his own path now."

Alvarez was just one of many Southeast standouts Sunday as the Indians continued to roll. They outscored the Skyhawks 40-13 in the series and have scored 55 runs in their last four games.

The Indians were also flawless in the field Sunday, turning three double plays to help out Alvarez.

"We got timely hitting, outstanding pitching by our starter and relievers (Mark Frazier and Ryan Govek) and we played excellent defense," Hogan said. "It was really a good weekend for us all the way around. We're hitting the ball up and down the lineup."

Of the Indians' 10 hits Sunday, eight went for extra bases, including three triples and five doubles.

Zach Borowiak tripled twice and drove in three runs. Clemente Bonilla doubled twice and had two RBIs. Brian Hopkins had two hits and scored three runs, Eric Hoffman delivered two RBIs and Vern Hatton extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

"We're clicking on all cylinders and it feels awesome," Borowiak said. "Everybody in the lineup is stroking the ball, our pitching is good and we're playing defense. We're going to be tough to beat."

Brady Nighswonger drilled a one-out solo home run in the top of the first inning to give the Skyhawks a short-lived lead.

The Indians came right back with five runs in the bottom of the first to knock out starter Jeremy Hite (0-1). Borowiak and Brice Nicholas had RBI triples in the frame while Bonilla and Hoffman added RBI doubles as the rout was on.

Although there is still more than half of the OVC season to play, the Indians lead Morehead State by a game in the standings.

"It's the first time in over a year we've been in first place," Hogan said. "We had a chance to build on the lead today and we finally got the sweep, which was really nice."

Southeast will visit Southern Illinois Wednesday for a 3 p.m. non-league game.