Indians look for catapult into tournament

Southeast Missouri State University will end the regular season this weekend, but at least some of coach Mark Hogan's attention has already moved to next week's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

The Indians (30-16, 14-4), the OVC regular-season champions, will play Morehead State in a three-game series in Morehead, Ky., with a noon doubleheader today and a single game at noon Sunday.

Staff ace Brad Purcell (10-2, 3.02 earned-run average) will start the Indians' OVC Tournament opener Wednesday and No. 2 Brandon Smith (9-2, 4.18) will start Thursday, so neither is expected to play much -- possibly not at all -- this weekend.

"We're going to be really careful with Purcell and Smith," Hogan said. "We'll do whatever they feel comfortable with. Neither wants to sit for seven days. Whether we throw them an inning or two, or whether they just get in some work in the bullpen, we'll just have to take it as it comes."

Both pitched Wednesday in a win at Arkansas. Purcell pitched seven innings and Smith two.

Tim Alvarez (5-1, 3.00), the Indians' No. 3 starter, hurled a complete game Tuesday against Arkansas to move ahead of Purcell in the race for the OVC ERA title and is scheduled to start today's first game. Donnie Fuller (1-1, 5.56), who has allowed just two runs in his last 15 innings, will likely start the second game. Sunday's starter has not been determined.

"If Alvarez is ready, we'll start him, but if not, we'll go with Fuller the first game," Hogan said. "Whatever we do, this weekend will be a big chance for some other guys to make their mark and for us to see who we might want to use in a tight spot in the tournament."

No matter who takes the mound this weekend, Hogan wants the Indians to stay hot. Southeast has won 13 of its last 15 games and 22 of its last 28.

"My No. 1 focus is winning this weekend," Hogan said. "The last thing we want to do is go into the tournament coming off a bad weekend."

Morehead (28-23, 8-9) could to be a tough opponent for two reasons. First, the Eagles are strong at home, taking advantage of a short right-field fence to lead the OVC in home runs with 120. Second, they are locked in a struggle with several other teams for berths in the six-team OVC Tournament.

The Eagles entered the weekend in a tie for fifth place with Eastern Kentucky. They are two games behind second-place Eastern Illinois and one game ahead of seventh-place Tennessee Tech.

"Morehead plays so well at home," Hogan said. "They'll be really formidable."

The Eagles lead the OVC and rank ninth nationally with a .339 team batting average. All nine starters hit .300 or better.

Cary Page (.356, 26 home runs, 71 RBIs) is second nationally in homers and Bubba Lavender (.381, 23 homers, 66 RBIs) isn't far behind. They are the OVC's top two home-run hitters.

Southeast doesn't have gaudy power numbers, but the Indians feature six .300-plus hitters in Vern Hatton (.369), Denver Stuckey (.366), Tristen McDonald (.356), Brian Hopkins (.333), Zach Borowiak (.321) and Clemente Bonilla (.314).

Stuckey has been particularly hot in recent weeks, going 21 for his last 40 to challenge Hatton for the team batting lead.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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