Indians throw surprise at Bears

Ryan Forsyth came to Capaha Park Friday afternoon figuring to at most pitch a little bit in relief -- and even that was probably questionable considering the way he was struggling.

Instead, Southeast Missouri State University's junior right-hander turned in the best game of his two-year career with the Indians during a 5-2 win over Southwest Missouri State.

Bill Clayton, a senior right-hander, was scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series against an SMS squad that advanced to last year's College World Series.

But warming up in the bullpen, Clayton experienced shoulder discomfort and was scratched. Forsyth was told to get ready just minutes before the scheduled first pitch.

"I was excited when I found out, but I had no idea it was coming," Forsyth said, smiling.

Forsyth (1-1) was solid last season both starting and relieving, but he entered Friday's contest with a 10.64 earned-run average in 11 innings. He shut out the Bears (6-9) for 6 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six as the Indians improved to 7-8 with their third straight victory.

"It's the best game I've pitched here," said Forsyth, who is not overpowering. "I was hitting my spots and it feels good to finally get my first win."

Said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, "To have no idea he was going to pitch, it says a lot about Ryan's character. He's struggled so far and you can't say enough about the job he did."

Offensively, left fielder Bryan Kurt and first baseman Gary Gilbert led the Indians.

Kurt, a junior-college transfer who walked on to the program, continued his surprising season by going 3-for-3 and raising his average to .438.

"He's a great story," Hogan said. "He put up big numbers in junior college last year, but we didn't even recruit him."

Said Kurt, who is from St. Louis, "I could have gone to smaller schools on scholarship, but this is a place I wanted to come to. It's a good program and it's close to home."

Gilbert, a senior who is Southeast's top returning hitter from last year, had been struggling with a .239 average. His first home run of the season, a two-out, two-run shot in the fourth inning immediately after Kurt's double, gave the Indians a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

"I've been waiting for that one," said a grinning Gilbert, who also had a sacrifice fly in a three-run seventh that put Southeast up 5-0.

Junior center fielder Frankie Montiel and junior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte both added two of Southeast's 11 hits. Montiel is batting .395.

Forsyth was aided by two strong relief performances. Freshman walkon right-hander Matt Carter came on in the seventh with runners on first and second and one out of a 2-0 game. He escaped the jam with two straight strikeouts.

After Carter allowed two runs in the eighth to make it 5-2, junior closer Brad Smith entered with men on first and second and one out. The right-hander retired the next two batters, then worked around two hits in the ninth for his second save to go along with three wins.

"Matt's work was huge, then Brad came in and did the job again," Hogan said. "It was a good day for us all around."

Tim Rafferty had three of the Bears' nine hits. Brooks Colvin drove in both runs.