INDIANS RIPPED IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Things did not go well all the way around for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team Sunday afternoon as the Indians ended their regular season.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan was ejected from the game in the second inning, but he was probably glad he didn't have to watch what happened the rest of the way as host Eastern Illinois banged out 17 hits and routed the Indians 12-5.

EIU, which won two of three games in the weekend series, finished up a spectacular Ohio Valley Conference regular season with a 19-1 record. The Panthers (34-18 overall) had already clinched the OVC championship prior to the series.

Southeast, which had locked up second place in the OVC before the weekend, ended the regular campaign at 34-18 overall and 15-6 in conference play.

The teams could very well meet again later this week in the OVC Tournament as they are the top two seeds for the six-team event in Paducah, Ky.

Southeast will play fifth-seeded Austin Peay in Wednesday's opening round, probably at 3:30 p.m., although the starting time has not yet officially been released by the league. EIU will meet sixth-seeded Eastern Kentucky.

Hogan was ejected in the top of the second when EIU hurler Nick Albu threw a pitch behind Tristen McDonald and was not issued a warning. That brought Hogan out of the dugout to question the home-plate umpire. After a heated exchange, Hogan was tossed.

McDonald had been ejected from the second game of Saturday's doubleheader after it was ruled he threw an elbow to an EIU player. Both benches briefly cleared, but nothing serious materialized.

EIU broke on top Sunday with a three-run second and then knocked out Southeast starter Tommy Thomas in a three-run third that started the rout.

Thomas (4-8) allowed five hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Mark Frazier and Brandon Smith combined to give up 11 hits and eight runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jeffrey Hilz had the only mound success for the Indians, hurling two scoreless frames.

Vern Hatton and Brice Nicholas each homered for the Indians, Hatton moving into the team lead with his seventh of the season. Brian Hopkins had two of Southeast's eight hits.

Pete Pirman went 4-for-4 to lead EIU's 17-hit attack. Tim Aurrichio went 4-for-5 and Ben Duke homered.

Nathan Stone (6-1) hurled 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to notch the victory.