Indians rediscover offense, fall to SMS

Different method, similar result.

A day after their 15-inning pitchers' duel, Southeast Missouri State University and Southwest Missouri State engaged in more offensive-minded game that led to an 11-9 Southwest win Saturday.

The Indians, who lost Friday's marathon contest 5-3, fell to 6-9 while the Bears improved to 10-3. The squads will close out their three-game series at 1 p.m. today.

"We've had back-to-back frustrating games," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We battled today, but we have to beat somebody, we just can't hang around."

After the teams combined for just 18 hits in 15 innings Friday, the offenses were more productive Saturday. Southeast had 15 hits, including two home runs, and SMS had 16 hits, including a homer and five doubles.

"After yesterday, it was good to see us hit the ball," SMS coach Keith Guttin said. "Both teams hit well. The conditions were a little better today."

Tristen McDonald had four hits, including his second home run of the season, and drove in three runs to lead the Indians' offense.

Vern Hatton continued his hot streak with three hits and scored four runs. Zach Borowiak had two hits, including his third homer of the year. Brian Hopkins and Dave Lawson each had two RBIs.

For the Bears, Dant'e Brinkley, Tony Piazza, Greg Mathis, Randyn Saner, Shaun Marcum and Brooks Colvin all had two hits. Matt Gardner belted his second home run of the year, a three-run shot in the fourth inning that gave SMS, which never trailed, a 7-1 lead.

Southeast starter Brandon Smith (3-1) experienced his first subpar performance of the season and took the loss. He allowed seven runs and nine hits in five innings. The Indians used four pitchers in the game.

"Brandon struggled with his control, but it's just one outing," Hogan said. "He's thrown mighty well for us."

Andrew Jefferson (1-0), the second of three SMU hurlers, was the winner despite allowing five runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings as he tired late after giving the Bears solid work in the middle frames.

Marcum earned a save when he ended a Southeast rally in the ninth. Trailing 11-6 after SMS had scored three runs in the top of the inning, Borowiak led off with a homer. Hatton, McDonald and Hoffman followed with singles, the latter driving in a run as the Indians closed to within 11-8 and had runners on first and third with nobody out.

In came Marcum. Hopkins delivered a sacrifice fly, making it 11-9, but the next two Indians were retired.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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