Indians run streak to six, drop Billikens

ST. LOUIS -- Southeast Missouri State converted a leadoff walk in the 10th inning into the winning run as the Indians defeated Saint Louis University 5-4 Tuesday at the Billikens Sports Center.

The non-conference victory was the sixth straight win for Southeast, which improved to 23-14.

Southeast outhit Saint Louis (15-25) 16 to 9, but stranded a season-high 16 baserunners. Indian shortstop Zach Borowiak led the way by going 5-for-6 at the plate with an RBI. He was one of five Southeast players to finish with two hits or more.

Southeast led 3-0 after scoring a run in the top of the third, but Saint Louis pulled even with three runs in the bottom of the inning as it chased Indian starter James Beever, the first of four pitchers.

The Indians went ahead in the top of the sixth on a Borowiak RBI double for a 4-3 lead, but the Billikens tied the game with a run in the eighth.

In the 10th, winning pitcher Tim Alvarez (3-0) drew a leaoff walk, but Billiken closer Dave Guntorious (1-2) struck out Denver Stuckey and Clemente Bonilla. Borowiak then sent Alvarez to third with a two-out single, and Southeast clean-up hitter Vern Hatton followed with an RBI single to right field, his third hit of the game.

Alvarez opened the bottom of the 10th with a walk to Chad Wrinkle, who was sacrificed to second, but retired the Billikens' Nos. 3 and 4 batters, Ryan Murphy and Jim Bredenkoetter, on flyballs to end the game. Alvarez didn't allow a hit in two innings and issued just the walk to Wrinkle.

Indians catcher Tristen McDonald had a solo home run among his two hits. Stuckey and Eric Hoffman each added a pair of hits for Southeast.

Jake Friederich, Kyle Wort and Andrew Slania all had two hits for Saint Louis.

Southeast plays this weekend when it visits Tennessee Tech for a three-game OVC series.