JOHNSON BREAKS RECORD; SE BREAKS EVEN WITH UTM

MARTIN, Tenn. -- On a record-setting day for Jeremy Johnson, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team saw its hopes for a doubleheader sweep foiled late.

Johnson, the Indians' junior center fielder, had three doubles Friday as he became the school's career leader in that category. The former Egyptian (Ill.) High star now has 43 doubles, breaking the old mark of 41 set by Tom Breuer from 1993-96.

Southeast won the opener from host Tennessee-Martin 12-7 and the Indians built an early six-run lead in the nightcap only to see the Shyhawks rally for a 7-6 victory to salvage a split.

The Indians, who had a four-game winning streak snapped in the nightcap, are now 6-9. The Skyhawks are 7-13.

Even though Southeast and UTM are both members of the Ohio Valley Conference, Friday's games were non-league contests. The squads will have a three-game conference series later in the season.

Johnson took care of the record in the first game when he lashed his three doubles. That was part of a 12-hit Southeast attack.

Phil Warren also had three hits and he drove in two runs while Kevin Meyer had two hits and four RBIs. Clemente Bonilla added two RBIs while Johnson scored three runs and Steve Lowe scored four times.

Ryan Spille improved his record to 3-0 despite allowing nine hits and five earned runs in going the seven-inning distance. Spille struck out six and walked one.

Scott Hall had three hits for UTM while Brian Jordan belted the game's lone home run.

In the second game, the Indians scored four runs in the second inning and two more in the third to go up 6-0. But it wasn't enough as the Skyhawks rallied, scoring the winning run in the sixth on a two-out single by Adam Gibson.

Warren again had three hits for the Indians but his teammates combined for just three other hits. Meyer and Kyle Yount each had two RBIs, with Yount getting his first homer of the season.

Lanier English had three of UTM's 12 hits while Scott Hall homered.

Southeast starter Dan Huesgen gave up nine hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. He fanned seven and did not issue a walk.

Lanson Debrock suffered the loss, allowing three hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings. Debrock is now 1-2.

UTM reliever T.J. Allen got the win with 2 2/3 innings of brilliant relief. He allowed one hit and no runs while fanning five and walking one.

The Indians will return to action Monday when they host Western Illinois in a 3 p.m. game at Capaha Field.