Indians try to extend three-game winning streak

Southeast Missouri State University's attempt to extend its three-game baseball winning streak was put on hold when Tuesday's scheduled game against visiting Lincoln was rained out.

But the Indians will have a chance to push their victory string to five when the squads hook up in a 1 p.m. doubleheader today. There will be a nine-inning first game and a seven-inning second game.

The Indians (6-8) and Division II Tigers (6-18) had started their pre-game preparation at Capaha Field Tuesday when rain began falling less than 30 minutes before the scheduled 5 p.m. first pitch.

With the forecast calling for more rain throughout the evening and with the squads scheduled to conclude their two-game series today, the decision was made to play a doubleheader.

"If they were going to be leaving town, we might have tried to battle the rain and get the game in," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "But with the forecast calling for some pretty nice weather Tuesday, it was the right thing to do."

Hogan knows the Indians have a strong chance to build a winning streak this week --after today's contests, they host NAIA Missouri Valley College in single games Friday and Saturday -- but he cautioned that they can't take lower-division opponents lightly.

"We can't overlook these two teams this week. We have to respect all our opponents," Hogan said.

Lincoln, located in Jefferson City, Mo., went 23-17 last year in their second season under coach Earl Wheeler, a star athlete at Dexter High School in the 1980s who played both baseball and football at Oklahoma State.

The Tigers lost heavily to graduation, which is a big reason for their slow start, but Hogan said, "They have three or four hitters in the lineup who had incredible numbers last year, and they had a solid ballclub last year. I'm sure they'll play hard, and we need to be ready."

Hogan said he hopes to use this week's games to not only build the Indians' record but also get their pitching rotation lined up heading into the start of Ohio Valley Conference play April 5 and 6. Prior to that three-game home series against Tennessee Tech, Southeast visits Southern Illinois next Wednesday.

Other than senior left-hander Tim Alvarez (5-0, 1.85 earned-run average), the other members of Southeast's inexperienced pitching staff have largely struggled, although several have recently shown progress.

"The key for us is we need to find the pitchers that will fit into the rotation," Hogan said. "Everything is geared toward getting ready for conference play."

Hogan, whose squad is the defending OVC regular-season and tournament champion, will send Alvarez to the mound in today's opener. Sophomore left-hander Jon Nourie, a junior-college transfer, is scheduled to start the second game.

Offensively, the Indians have picked things up in recent outings and have raised their team batting average to .270 after it was barely above .200 not long ago.

Senior shortstop Zach Borowiak and senior second baseman Justin Christian lead the way with .327 averages, while senior left fielder Brian Hopkins (.294) and senior third baseman Denver Stuckey (.286) are both getting close to the .300 mark.

"We've got the potential to have a very good offensive ballclub, and I think we're starting to show that," Hogan said.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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