Indians keep OVC lead in sight, sweep Tenn.-Martin

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan warned his players to not take struggling Tennessee-Martin lightly.

The Indians evidently took the message to heart Saturday as they pounded out a doubleheader victory over the Ohio Valley Conference's last-place team, romping 9-1 and 14-2.

Southeast improved to 24-15 overall and 8-5 in the league to remain a game behind first-place Tennessee Tech, which swept Eastern Kentucky Saturday. UTM fell to 14-24-1 overall and 3-9-1 in the OVC.

"It was just a great day for us," Hogan said. "We didn't have any errors in either game, we played super defense, we had 25 hits and we hit up and down the lineup, and our pitching was excellent."

Hogan juggled his pitching order Saturday, saving ace Tim Alvarez for the seven-inning second game in case he might be needed for relief in the nine-inning first game. Bill Clayton started the opener.

The move did nothing to hamper the Indians. Clayton, continuing to impress after a slow start to the season, won his third straight game by throwing seven strong innings. And Alvarez worked five solid innings in the finale before coming out with a big lead to post his 11th victory.

"Bill was just tremendous," Hogan said. "It was good we didn't have to use Tim in both games, and it was good we only had to use him five innings. It's been a long time since he hasn't had to throw 115 or 120 pitches."

Offensively, Brian Hopkins continued to sizzle and went 5-for-8 in the doubleheader, including a home run -- his 13th of the season -- two doubles, three runs batted in and four runs scored. Hopkins entered the day batting .401 and increased that to .413. He has a 16-game hitting streak.

Tristen McDonald, who has struggled offensively much of the season, matched Hopkins by going 5-for-8, including three doubles, and he drove in seven runs, six coming in the opener.

Seth Moulton went 4-for-9, with all the hits coming in the second game, when he doubled twice.

Justin Christian and Gary Gilbert both added three hits, while Zach Borowiak doubled twice and scored four runs.

Of the Indians' 25 hits on the day, there were 11 doubles and two home runs, including Eric Hoffman's second homer of the season in the finale. Hopkins' homer also came in the second game.

As Clayton (3-2) continues to master his control, the hard-throwing right-hander continues to receive improved results. He allowed five hits and one run while striking out seven and walking two.

James Beever finished the opener, allowing two hits and striking out one in two scoreless innings.

In the second game, left-hander Alvarez (11-2) allowed four hits and one run, with two strikeouts and no walks. The OVC's premier pitcher is within one victory of tying Southeast's single-season record.

Jon Nourie and Denver Stuckey finished up with an inning each. Nourie allowed four hits and one run while Stuckey hurled a hitless, scoreless seventh. Both had two strikeouts and one walk.

The Indians and Skyhawks will close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.