INDIANS OPEN OVC PLAY WITH DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT

The way Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan figures, Morehead State came out ahead during Saturday's doubleheader at Capaha Field -- even though the squads split.

That's because Hogan believes his Indians had more at stake in the Ohio Valley Conference openers for both squads.

"The way the OVC schedule falls this year, they've got four series at home and we've only got three," said Hogan. "I'm sure Morehead State feels good heading back (to their motel) with a split and having the possibility of winning their first series on the road.

"We're going to have to do it the hard way (with four of seven OVC series on the road) and we really need to do well this weekend."

Morehead State won the opener 4-3 and then dropped the nightcap 8-6. The squads will officially decide the three-game series today with a 2 p.m. contest at Capaha.

"That's a big one for us," Hogan said. "We really need to get it."

Southeast (10-7 overall) and Morehead (9-11) had to endure some fairly rugged playing conditions Saturday as the squads battled strong winds and chilly temperatures during a twin bill that began at 2 p.m. and didn't end until nearly 8 p.m.

"It was a long day on the field. I'm sure both clubs feel that way," said Hogan."It was an uncomfortable day."

Despite the fact Morehead entered the day with a team earned-run average of 8.41, Hogan figured the Indians would not simply have their way in the first game.

That's because Eagles' ace Eddy Bushelman came into the contest with an ERA of 2.88. No other Morehead hurler has an ERA of less than 5.40.

"You look at their team ERA and his (Bushelman's) really jumps out at you," Hogan said. "He's a talented pitcher."

Bushelman took advantage of four runs over the first two innings off Southeast starter Tommy Thomas two of them were unearned to pick up the win and improve to 4-0. He gave up seven hits and three runs in six-plus innings.

Casey Campbell earned a well-deserved save by retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh.

"Give Morehead credit in the first game," said Hogan. "It was a rough start for us and it was a disappointing game to lose. We certainly had some opportunities."

The Indians clawed back to within 4-3 after three innings but could not score the rest of the way despite having plenty of chances, including a second-and-third, one-out situation in the fifth.

Thomas (1-4), who has struggled his last two outings, lasted just 1 1/3 innings.

Southeast got a brilliant relief performance from Greg Lunski, who worked five innings of two-hit, shutout ball, with seven strikeouts and no walks. But the Indians could not take advantage of Lunski's mound work.

The Indians had seven first-game hits, two by both Zach Borowiak and freshman Brad Beatty. The Eagles had six hits, two by Jimmy Mains. Will Reneker drove in two runs.

In the second game, the Indians got off to a strong start, thanks in large part to Jeff Bourbon's two-run homer in the opening inning.

Two more runs in the second made it 4-0, but the Indians still had to hold on for the victory. A big key was the fifth inning. After Morehead plated four in the top of the frame to pull within 5-4, the Indians came right back with a three-run bottom, the big blows being Beatty's RBI single and Denver Stuckey's two-run single.

Brad Purcell (2-1) gave up three hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings. He fanned eight and walked five. Brandon Smith earned his first save. He hurled the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) while fanning three and walking two.

Stuckey had three of the Indians' 10 hits and he drove in three runs. Bourbon and Tristan McDonald both added two hits.

Mains and Thad Kingsolver each had two of the Eagles' six hits.