MEMPHIS TERMINATES SE's STREAK

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's eight-game baseball winning streak came to a crashing halt here Tuesday afternoon as Memphis swept a non-conference doubleheader.

The Tigers used a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of the opener to prevail 2-1, then they romped 13-3 in the nightcap.

Southeast fell to 33-16 while Memphis improved to 30-20.

In the first game, the score was tied 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the seventh and it looked like the squads were headed for extra innings.

But Justin Thomas changed all that with one swing as he homered off Southeast relief ace Jeffrey Hilz to end the contest.

That blow ended an impressive pitcher's duel. Southeast starter Greg Lunski allowed three hits and one run in 5 1/3 innings, with six strikeouts and four walks. Hilz, who fell to 5-2, got the final two outs in the sixth and recorded the first out in the seventh before being touched by Thomas.

Memphis starter Matthew Krabbe (2-3) went all the way, giving up three hits.

Southeast had a chance to get out to an early lead as it loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the first but failed to score.

The Indians did break on top with a run in the second, getting an RBI single from Shane Allen. Memphis tied it in the bottom of the frame on a homer by Tyler Shelton.

Southeast again scored first in the nightcap, getting a Jeff Bourbon RBI single in the opening inning.

But Memphis quickly took control with two in the first and three in the second, then the Tigers broke things open with a seven-run third.

Memphis had just nine hits, but made them count. Barrett Smith had three hits -- including a homer -- and drove in four runs.

The Indians had 11 hits, with freshman Brad Beatty going 3-for-3. Brice Nicholas, a redshirt sophomore, belted his first collegiate home run.

Southeast starter Mark Frazier suffered his first loss of the season as he fell to 3-1. In 1 1/3 innings, Frazier allowed five runs (three earned) and three hits.

Andy Davidson, Hilz and Brandon Smith combined to allow eight runs (seven earned) and six hits over the next 3 2/3 innings. Beatty hurled a hitless frame.