MISSOURI BAPTIST HANDS SOUTHEAST HOME LOSS 5-4

Missouri Baptist baseball coach Eddie Uschold acknowledged that his team's 5-4 win over host Southeast Missouri State University Tuesday should probably be considered an upset.

After all, most people figured the NCAA Division I Indians would defeat the NAIA Spartans.

But Eschold was quick to point out that his squad from St. Louis has long been one of the better NAIA teams around -- and Eschold didn't seem all that stunned by Tuesday's verdict.

"I am pleased and it's a big win for us, but we have a nice team," said Eschold, whose squad improved its record to 27-13. "We play a really tough schedule, some Division I teams and all the top NAIA teams.

"Guys are always excited when they get the opportunity to play a Division I team. SEMO has an excellent program and this one feels good."

Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad fell to 20-9 with the loss witnessed by just over 200 fans at Capaha Field, knew coming in just how solid the Spartans would be. But Hogan wondered if his players realized it.

"They beat us here with a two-hitter a few years ago (in 1997). They've got a really nice ballclub and program," said Hogan. "I didn't think we were fully ready to go today, maybe because on paper things looked like they were in our favor. That's a cardinal error."

Both teams had 10 hits and each squad received relatively strong pitching performances from virtually all of their hurlers.

The Spartans used two of their top pitchers and both, while not overpowering, were extremely effective.

Leo Santiago, considered the Spartans' ace, started and allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) in four innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Kevin Lewis, who Eschold said is his team's No. 3 starter, hurled the final five innings and notched the win, improving to 6-2. Lewis, who dominated the Indians until a late Southeast rally, allowed five hits and two runs while fanning three and issuing no walks.

"I thought they both threw great," said Eschold of Santiago and Lewis.

Three Southeast hurlers who have seen limited action this year did the bulk of the pitching for the Indians and they all acquitted themselves fairly well.

Andy Davidson, a 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman who is regarded as a potential star of the future for the Indians, started and went the first four innings. He allowed four hits and two runs (both unearned) while fanning seven and walking one.

Todd Pennington (1-1) took the loss as he gave up five hits and three runs in three innings. Pennington fanned four and walked one.

Ronnie Lewallen allowed one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

"We used some younger pitchers who haven't gotten the ball that much and I think they all did well. They kept us in the game," Hogan said. "I thought Andy Davidson had excellent stuff."

Brian Buchmeier paced Missouri Baptist offensively with four hits. Raul Martinez and Wilfredo Gonzalez each added two hits while Andy Resener drove in a pair of runs.

Jeremy Johnson broke out of a recent mini-slump by leading Southeast with three hits. Kevin Meyer and Clemente Bonilla both had two hits.

Southeast scored single runs in the first two innings and it looked at that point like the Indians might cruise.

But Santiago and Lewis held the Indians off the scoreboard for the next six innings, during which time the Spartans scored two in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the eighth to grab a 5-2 lead.

The Indians, held to one hit by Lewis from the fifth through eighth innings, made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth.

Zach Borowiak led off with a single and Denver Stuckey's double put runners on second and third. Bonilla's sacrifice fly plated Borowiak and then Jeff Bourbon's single put runners on first and third.

Meyer singled to score Stuckey, making it 5-4 and leaving men on first and second with still only one out.

Up stepped Charlie Marino, one of Southeast's top sluggers. But Marino bounced to short and the Spartans were able to turn a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

"I was glad to see Charlie in that spot, but it just didn't work out for us this time," said Hogan.

Southeast will be right back in action tonight with another non-league game, at St. Louis. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m.