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SportsMarch 22, 2001

Sure, Michael Minner was disappointed by being knocked out in the second inning. But that couldn't diminish the thrill Minner experienced at coming home to pitch a college baseball game. Minner, a junior left-hander for the William Woods Owls, was the losing hurler Wednesday afternoon as Southeast Missouri State University posted a 24-3 non-conference rout at Capaha Field...

Sure, Michael Minner was disappointed by being knocked out in the second inning.

But that couldn't diminish the thrill Minner experienced at coming home to pitch a college baseball game.

Minner, a junior left-hander for the William Woods Owls, was the losing hurler Wednesday afternoon as Southeast Missouri State University posted a 24-3 non-conference rout at Capaha Field.

Still, Minner certainly had nothing to hang his head about. The Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate has overcome long odds to compete on the collegiate level and his story is well documented in local baseball circles.

Minner's right arm extends just to his elbow and he was born without a bone in each leg, with the right leg shorter than the left. The 5-foot-2 Minner pitches with his glove underneath his right arm and then he quickly puts on his glove to field, ala former major-league hurler Jim Abbott.

"He's just a great kid and it's a privilege to be on the field with him," said an admiring Southeast coach Mark Hogan.

Said Minner, able to smile despite the pounding he and his teammates took, "It was a thrill, being able to come home and pitch here. It would have been better if I had fared better, but the sun will come up tomorrow."

Minner had pitched at Capaha Field during summer play, but never collegiately. He admitted to letting his nerves get somewhat the better of him.

"I was kind of nervous, coming home to throw," he said. "And they're a good ballclub. You make a mistake and they'll hurt you."

The Indians hurt all five William Woods pitchers to the tune of 20 hits as they improved to 13-8 and dropped the NAIA Owls from Fulton, Mo., to 9-9.

Minner actually carried a 2-0 lead into the second inning as the Owls scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first and then he retired the Indians without incident in the bottom of the frame.

But Minner (1-1) was knocked out during a 10-run Southeast second inning that featured eight hits and 15 batters. Minner left without recording an out in the second and he was charged with nine runs and seven hits.

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For the Indians, it was a much-needed offensive breakthrough, even though the Owls are just a third-year program and were seriously overmatched Wednesday.

"We needed a day like this offensively," said Hogan, whose squad had been averaging less than five runs per game and was able to raise its collective batting average 14 points -- to .285 -- with the onslaught. "We've been struggling to score runs and it's nice to see us get going."

Despite the sub-par opposition, Hogan said, "You still have to put the bat on the ball. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. I think we're capable of being a good offensive club."

The Indians had a host of offensive standouts Wednesday, led by Vern Hatton. The junior-college transfer center fielder went 5-for-5 to tie a Southeast record for hits in a game. Hatton, who doubled and tripled to go along with three singles, drove in four runs and raised his average 56 points to .294.

Freshman outfielder/designated hitter Brad Beatty went 4-for-4 with five RBIs, three coming on the game's only home run, his second of the season. Beatty boosted his average 51 points to .279.

Beatty and senior catcher Jeff Bourbon each scored four runs to tie the school's single-game record.

Shane Allen added three hits and three RBIs while Bourbon, Matt Baldwin and Zach Borowiak all had two hits. Borowiak, Tristan McDonald, Denver Stuckey and freshman Kyle Neal all contributed two RBIs.

Four Southeast pitchers combined to strike out 15 while allowing just six hits and one earned run.

Mike Robinson started and went three innings, giving up two hits and two unearned runs. He fanned four and walked two.

Jeffrey Hilz (2-1) fanned seven and walked one in three innings as he received credit for the victory. Hilz allowed two hits and the Owls' other run.

Brandon Smith worked two innings, allowing one hit and one walk while fanning three. Andy Davidson hurled the final frame, with one hit and one strikeout.

After their 10-run second, the Indians came back with five in the third and the massacre was on. They added two in the fifth, five in the seventh and two in the eighth.

The Indians will continue non-conference play Saturday when Belmont (Tenn.) comes to town for a 1 p.m. single game.

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