Indians suffer 10-5 loss to SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team dug itself a huge early hole Wednesday and suffered a 10-5 non-conference loss to Southern Illinois.

The Salukis built a 9-0 lead after four innings as they broke a five-game losing streak to the Indians. SIU, which lost to Southeast 8-2 earlier this month in Cape Girardeau, improved to 19-14. The Indians fell to 17-14.

Southeast starter Andy Sheridan (1-1), the winner in the earlier meeting against SIU, took the loss Wednesday. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs.

Four more pitchers followed Sheridan to the mound, with only Andy Davidson holding the Salukis off the scoreboard. Davidson allowed one hit over the final two innings.

Bill Clayton (1-1) allowed just one hit over the first five innings for the victory, although he gave up three runs.

Dave Lawson had two of Southeast's seven hits and he drove in two runs. Vern Hatton's solo home run in the fifth inning extended his hitting streak to 15 games. Zach Borowiak also had a solo homer in the fifth as the Indians pulled to within 9-5.

SIU had 13 hits, led by Toby Barnett with three. Barnett and Sal Frisella homered for the Salukis.

"It was good the way we battled back, but we got behind by too much too early," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

Southeast will return to action Saturday when Lipscomb (Tenn.) visits Capaha Field for a 2 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.

"Lipscomb has a good ballclub and we need to get back on track," Hogan said.

Following Saturday's games, the Indians will hit the road to take on nationally ranked Oklahoma State Tuesday.