Injuries mar SE road trip

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team suffered a 14-2 loss to Southern Mississippi Sunday afternoon -- but that result was overshadowed greatly by one accident away from the diamond and another on it.

Saturday night, following the second of three weekend games with the Eagles, Southeast pitcher Adam Sherry was struck by a car while crossing the street in front of the team hotel.

Sherry suffered a broken leg and head injuries. He was transferred from a hospital in Hattiesburg to the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, where he underwent two surgeries Sunday morning.

Sherry is listed in stable condition at the intensive care unit at the Tulane Medical Center and is expected to be hospitalized for at least a week. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Also Sunday, during the game, pitcher Donnie Fuller -- one of the Indians' top two returning hurlers from last season -- suffered a dislocated right shoulder and ear laceration when he dived for a ball and slid into the concrete wall of the Southern Mississippi dugout.

Fuller underwent surgeries Sunday afternoon to repair the shoulder and ear and returned to Cape Girardeau on the team bus.

Not much of a game

As for the game itself, the Indians (3-7) fell behind 9-0 after two innings as they dropped two of the three games in the series. The contest was called in the bottom of the seventh inning because of the 10-run mercy rule by the mutual agreement of both coaching staffs.

Southeast had just four hits, a double by Zach Borowiak and singles by Gary Gilbert, Eric Hoffman and Aaron Fangman.

Hoffman and Brian Hopkins scored Southeast's runs, in the third and seventh innings. Denver Stuckey had the Indians' only RBI.

Southern Mississippi (11-4) had nine hits and took advantage of six walks by four Southeast pitchers. Jeff Cook and Jarrett Hoffpauir both had two hits for the Eagles while Cook and Matt Benson each homered.

Jon Nourie (0-2) took the loss as he worked just one inning, allowing two runs and one hit.

Stan Skakalski did not retire a batter while allowing three runs on just one hit.

Fuller gave up six runs and five hits in two innings before leaving with his injury.

Brad Bumpus was touched for three runs and two hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Cliff Russum (1-3) was the winner.

Weather permitting, Southeast will play its first home game today as Middle Tennessee State visits Capaha Field at 2 p.m. The Indians will host Missouri at 6 p.m. Tuesday and St. Louis at 4 p.m. Wednesday as they have nine consecutive home contests scheduled.