Indians strike for two wins

It wasn't the strongest of opponents, but Southeast Missouri State University's first home action of the season was apparently just what the struggling Indians needed.

The Indians dominated Brescia University 6-0 and 8-0 during a Sunday afternoon doubleheader witnessed by more than 450 fans at Capaha Field.

"I think we could have played a little more clean and with more intensity, but it's good to get two wins," pitcher Bill Clayton said.

Southeast, which is working numerous new players into the lineup and started off facing a brutal schedule, improved to 3-5. Brescia, an NAIA program from Owensboro, Ky., fell to 3-13.

"We should beat Brescia. We realize that," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "But at the same time, you have to go out and execute. It's always good to get a couple of wins."

Hogan was most encouraged by his pitching staff, which had struggled through the early part of the season. The Indians entered Sunday's play with a 9.37 earned-run average and, perhaps most alarmingly, had given up 47 walks in just 49 innings, including 25 free passes during two recent losses at 12th-ranked Mississippi.

Finding the zone

Sunday, in addition to tossing 14 shutout innings -- and allowing just eight hits -- Southeast hurlers issued only one walk while striking out 16.

"That's a real positive sign for us because throwing strikes is the name of the game," Hogan said. "I thought our pitching was really good. It was a complete turnaround from what we've been doing as far as the walks. And each guy threw well."

Five pitchers combined to keep the Bearcats off the scoreboard.

In the 6-0 opener, starter Ryan Forsyth gave up five hits in four innings. He struck out three.

"I got in a little groove, hit my spots better," said Forsyth. "We all kept the walks down, which is what's been hurting us."

Brad Smith, the Indians' closer who has not yet had much of an opportunity to play that role, fanned four in two perfect innings to get the win. Smith (2-0) has not allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings this season. Freshman Matt Carter finished up with a perfect seventh.

In the 8-0 finale, starter Anthony Maupin (1-1) allowed just two hits in five innings. He struck out five and issued the Indians' lone walk.

Clayton, one of Southeast's top returning pitchers who has seen only limited action so far because of a sprained ankle, worked the final two innings. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

"We've started off kind of slow, but we've got so many new players on the team, and we've played some really tough teams" Clayton said. "I think once everybody gets an idea of what it takes to win, there's no telling how far we can go."

A light-hitting day

Hogan was a bit disappointed that the Indians' didn't show better at the plate as they had just 15 hits.

"I'm concerned about our hitting," Hogan said. "We've had so many innings so far where we're not scoring."

Outfielder Eric Horstman, one of many junior-college transfers starting for the Indians, had three hits -- including two doubles -- in the opener. Although he went hitless in the second game, Horstman is batting a robust .455 (15-for-33). He also leads the squad in runs scored with eight and runs batted in with seven.

"As a leadoff guy, it's my job to get on base and then for guys to pick me up," Horstman said. "We struggled offensively today, but it was good to see our pitchers step up."

Eric Hoffman, one of the Indians' few returning position players, had three hits and three RBIs in the doubleheader. Brady Noll added two hits on the day.

"We'll take two wins for sure," Hoffman said. "Hopefully this will help get us going."

Hogan knows he must show patience with his new-look squad, especially through the rough early-season schedule.

In addition to already having played Mississippi and 19th-ranked Oklahoma, the Indians have a three-game series this weekend at perennial national powerhouse Alabama. Before that, they host St. Louis University at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

"It's a learning experience for the boys and a learning experience for the coaches," Hogan said. "We're still in an awfully early phase. We're still trying to get our combination together."