INDIANS PULL OFF BIG UPSET

WICHITA, Kan. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team has struggled through much of the early season.

But the Indians looked like anything but a struggling squad here Wednesday in claiming a stunning 14-6 victory over Wichita State, which is one of the nation's premier programs.

The Indians, who split the two-game series here, are now 5-12 while the Shockers -- ranked 13th nationally -- fell to 14-5.

"It's an encouraging win in their place after the disappointing (11-4) loss last night," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "To come back and win the game handily is a confidence builder for our team."

In a game that featured many Southeast heroes, Kyle Yount led the way with a spectacular performance.

Yount, a sophomore, went 5-for-6 with two doubles, two triples and two runs batted in. His two triples in one game tied the school record that was last accomplished in 1989.

"I've always heard a lot about Wichita State," said Yount. "I saw them on ESPN when I was growing up. Now here we are beating them. I think we all hit the ball very well."

The Indians, batting just .225 as a team before Wednesday, banged out 15 hits.

Mike Miller had a huge game with two hits -- including only the Indians' third home run of the season -- and five RBIs.

Lance Craft, LaMonte Collier and Brian Pepper all added two hits.

Southeast starting pitcher Lanson DeBrock -- a freshman out of Notre Dame High -- made his first collegiate start and was impressive, allowing just two runs before being removed in the fourth inning.

Jason Swearingen then pitched five strong innings to earn the win as he improved to 2-1. Swearingen allowed just two hits and one run while striking out three and walking nobody.

Dave Siboda hurled the ninth and was touched for three runs, but by then the Indians had already piled up a huge lead.

The Indians jumped on top with two runs in the first and never looked back. They got four in the third to go ahead 6-1 and a five-run seventh made it 13-2. Southeast carried a 14-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth and coasted home.

"It's a great win for us but we have to remember that it's only one win," Hogan said. "We've got to get ready for a tough weekend conference series."

Southeast will host Tennessee Tech in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday.