Memphis rolls past Indians

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team lost a series for the second straight week to open the season as host Memphis pounded out a 14-6 victory Sunday afternoon.

The Indians (2-4) and Tigers (3-2) had split Saturday's doubleheader. Southeast also dropped two of three at Alabama last weekend.

Sunday, the Indians committed five errors, including three during a six-run Memphis first inning after Southeast had jumped ahead with a run in the top of the first.

Southeast had 11 hits, led by Justin Christian with three, including a home run and double. Zach Borowiak homered and had two hits while Denver Stuckey added two hits.

Memphis had 15 hits, led by Josh Payne with four.

Bill Clayton never made it out of the first inning and took the loss. He allowed four hits and three earned runs while retiring two batters.

Stan Skakalski and Ryan Forsyth combined to give up 11 hits and six earned runs the rest of the way.

The Indians return to action Tuesday with the seventh of 10 straight road games to begin the season, taking on Arkansas State at 3 p.m.

Track fares well

Southeast track and field coach Joey Haines knew it would be difficult for his women to win the Ohio Valley Conference indoor title without the services of freshman distance standout Lindsay Zeiler, who was ailing with a leg injury.

Zeiler would have been favored to win the mile, 3000-meters and also lead the Otahkians' distance medley relay team that had the OVC's best time.

Zeiler tried to compete in the mile but the leg simply wouldn't cooperate. She limped home to sixth place but did not participate in any other events.

Competing basically without Zeiler, the Otahkians came up just short in their bid for the title. Tennessee State defended its crown Saturday in Charleston, Ill., with 139.5 points. Southeast scored 136 in the nine-team meet.

"Lindsay tried to go and she showed a lot of courage," Haines said. "She went out in the mile as long as she could. She almost like hopped the last 600 meters on one leg and still finished sixth but she couldn't go any more.

"If she had been in top form, she would have easily won the mile and 3,000, and the distance medley could have won. That's 30 points. Still, we were right there and I thought we had a good meet."

The Otahkians were led by sophomore Heather Jenkins, a Central High School product who won the shot put and weight throw, setting an OVC record in the latter event that is in its second year of existence. Jenkins won the co-athlete of the meet award.

"Heather had a great meet," Haines said.

The Otahkians' other winner was redshirt freshman Brooke Woodruff (800).

Finishing second were junior Lyndsey Stevenson (60 hurdles), junior Kaci Pilcher (mile), senior Courtney Haman (high jump), freshman Michelle Jett (pole vault), junior Megan Youse (weight throw) and the mile relay team of Stevenson, Woodruff, sophomore LaQuita Andrews and junior Jen Burke.

Placing third were sophomore Meleisa Greene (long jump), sophomore Lori Sarantakis (pole vault) and freshman Nichole Portell (shot put).

In addition to Jenkins and fellow Central product Haman, the Otahkians received solid performances from two local athletes from Jackson: sophomore Lindsey Meyr (seventh long jump, fourth distance medley relay) and freshman Jeanna Bolen (fourth distance medley relay).

On the men's side, Southeast placed third with 114 points, behind Eastern Kentucky (122) and defending champion Eastern Illinois (197).

"Our guys did really, really well," Haines said. "We wanted to be second, but we did what we could do."

Senior Shelton Scott won the co-athlete of the meet award as he won the long jump and triple jump.

"Shelton had a really good meet," Haines said.

Other winners for the Indians were junior Jay Heddell (shot put) and freshman Jordan Willi (pole vault).

Two Perryville products were second: juniors Jared Tanz (800) and Shawn Statler (long jump). Statler was also seventh in the triple jump.

Finishing third were senior Brandon Myer (shot put), sophomore Daniel Jones (weight throw) and Sikeston freshman Andrew Lambert (high jump). Lambert was also sixth in the long jump and triple jump.

"Both our men and women had really good performances from local athletes," Haines said.

The indoor season is now basically over for Southeast, although Heddell, Jenkins and Scott will compete in a meet at Notre Dame this weekend in order to try and qualify for nationals March 14-15. Heddell has met the NCAA provisional qualifying standard in the shot put.

Gymnasts are last

Southeast's gymnastics team finished last among four squads in Sunday's rugged Missouri Corvette Classic in Columbia, Mo.

Host Missouri won the meet with 195.925, followed by Eastern Michigan (194.600), Texas Women's (193.425) and Southeast (191.900).

Amy Cole had the Otahkians' only top-three finish as she was third in the all-around (38.600).

Southeast hosts Eastern Michigan Wednesday at 7 p.m.