Maupin helps Indians avoid weekend sweep

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State, after losing a second straight one-run decision to host Eastern Illinois, finally reversed that trend Sunday to salvage a win in the three-game series.

The squads split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with EIU rallying for a 6-5 victory in the opener before Southeast held on for a 4-3 triumph in the finale. In Saturday's series opener, the Panthers prevailed 6-5.

Southeast is 18-21 overall and 8-7 in OVC play. EIU is 16-21 and 10-5.

After Southeast wasted a 5-1 lead in the final regulation inning of the opener -- EIU tied it with a four-run seventh and won in the ninth -- the Indians rebounded behind the strong pitching of Anthony Maupin.

Maupin (5-5) went all seven innings and worked out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the final frame to nail down the victory. He was helped by center fielder Frankie Montiel's diving catch. Maupin allowed seven hits, struck out five and walked four in his team-leading fourth complete game.

In the opener, Derek Herbig was in control through six innings, striking out 11 and walking three while allowing four hits as the Indians carried a 5-1 lead into the seventh.

But Herbig ran into trouble -- thanks to his wild pitch on a strikeout that allowed a runner to reach base and his own error -- and was replaced by ace reliever Brad Smith with two on and nobody out.

Smith gave up a one-out, three-run homer to Kyle Haines that made it 5-4. Ryan Campbell then singled. With two outs, Paul Dean doubled down the left field line and, when the ball got past Eric Horstman, Campbell scored on the error.

EIU scored another unearned run in the ninth to win the game. Haines led off by reaching on second baseman Bo Jenkins' error, was sacrificed to second and scored on Dean's single.

Smith (3-2) allowed five hits and three runs (one earned) in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss. Herbig was charged with three runs.

Southeast had 13 hits on the day, including just five in the second game. No player had more than two hits. Montiel homered in the opener while Ernie Bracamonte and Freddy Lopez went deep in the finale.

The Panthers had 16 hits in the two games, led by Campbell with four.

Southeast won't play again until Eastern Kentucky visits Capaha Field this weekend for a three-game OVC series.