Indians knock around Murray

Southeast Missouri State University carried a three-game losing streak into Saturday's doubleheader with visiting Murray State -- but the way the Indians looked at things, they were basically starting a new season.

"Our first conference games, it was like we were starting over," junior first baseman Freddy Lopez said.

Said junior designated hitter Eric Hoffman: "This is what we play for, the conference season."

The Indians got their new campaign off to a rousing start as they opened Ohio Valley Conference play by sweeping the Thoroughbreds 19-5 in the nine-inning opener and 6-2 in the seven-inning finale. More than 600 fans attended the action at Capaha Field.

Southeast (10-11, 2-0) and MSU (5-16, 0-2) will close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.

"It was a great day for us," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "The start of conference play, it kind of gets you extra jacked up and our guys really responded."

Did they ever, particularly in a first game that featured four Southeast home runs, five doubles and 19 total hits. The Indians scored 11 first-inning runs and led 19-3 after four innings.

The second game was much more competitive, but the Indians still managed 11 hits and two home runs. Their six homers on the day were more than half of their total for the entire season -- 10 -- prior to the doubleheader. Southeast took advantage of a strong wind blowing out to right field with five long balls to that part of the park.

A host of Indians enjoyed big days offensively, including Lopez, who entered the doubleheader batting just .250. After a 6-for-9 performance that featured his third homer of the season -- a three-run blast in the third inning of the finale that broke a 1-1 tie -- six runs scored and four runs batted in, Lopez is now hitting .327.

"Hopefully I can stay consistent," Lopez said. "But today it was mostly a team thing. We all picked it up."

Junior catcher Brady Noll also was struggling at the plate before Saturday with a .196 average, but he went 4-for-6 -- including his third homer, two doubles and three RBI -- and now is batting .250. Noll also made two key defensive plays in the finale as he picked a pair of runners off base.

"Brady had a great day," Hogan said.

As did freshman outfielder Brent Lawson, who started both games mainly because junior Bryan Kurt -- the Indians' top hitter at .420 -- was out of town attending his sister's wedding.

Lawson went 4-for-9, hit his first college home run, doubled and added three RBI. In limited action, he's now batting .409 (9-for-22).

"I'm not an everyday player so I have to take advantage of my opportunities," Lawson said.

Junior left fielder Eric Horstman went 4-for-8, while junior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte and junior center fielder Frankie Montiel both added three hits.

Hoffman had four RBI and his first homer of the season; Bracamonte had three RBI and his second homer; and Montiel added three RBI and his first Southeast home run.

Junior Anthony Maupin (3-2) pitched six innings to win the opener, allowing six hits and four runs. Lawson worked two scoreless innings in his first mound action of the season. Redshirt freshman Mark Wittenborn, from Central High School, allowed an unearned run and struck out two in the ninth as he made his college debut.

Junior Mike Fitch (1-2) was the winner in the finale, allowing nine hits and two runs in four-plus innings. Junior Brad Smith earned his third save with three scoreless innings of one-hit ball.

MSU had 17 hits on the day, led by Clint Griggs with four. Griggs and Geoff Kirksey both homered. Freshman second baseman Seth Hudson from Central High School started both games and went 1-for-6.