MU PITCHERS SMOTHER INDIANS

A heavy late afternoon thunderstorm put Tuesday night's baseball game between Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri in jeopardy.

The Indians might have wished the game had been rained out.

Three MU pitchers shut down the Indians on four hits as the Tigers posted a 7-2 victory in front of more than 700 fans at Capaha Field.

MU, one of the nation's hottest teams, won for the 17th time in its past 21 games and improved to 20-11.

Southeast, which entered the contest having won eight of its past nine games, fell to 19-10.

"You have to give their pitchers credit," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad swept both games against MU last season but trails the overall series with its state rival from Columbia 14-4. "They have some tremendous arms and we were overmatched.

"They just have an outstanding ballclub, easily one of the best three or four clubs we've seen, and we've played a tough non-conference schedule. You have to tip your hat to them."

Matt Hobbs, a left-hander who according to MU coach Tim Jamieson is the Tigers' No. 4 or 5 starter, improved to 6-2 as he limited the Indians to three hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings. Hobbs struck out three and walked two.

Logan Dale pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Hard-throwing Pete Sansone then hurled a hitless ninth, fanning two, although the Indians did get two baserunners, on an error and a walk.

"We pitched really well," said Jamieson. "That was the key to the game."

Probably the top offensive highlight for the Indians which tells you how much they struggled at the plate was a first-inning walk by junior second baseman Clemente Bonilla.

That free pass is significant because it allowed Bonilla to become the school's career leader in that department. Bonilla has walked 118 times. He's also having a big season at the plate, his .444 average prior to Tuesday leading the Ohio Valley Conference.

Southeast managed only doubles by Denver Stuckey and Jeff Bourbon and singles by Brad Beatty and Brice Nicholas. Tristen McDonald had the Indians' lone RBI, on a sacrifice fly.

Jon Williams and Wes Fewell both had two of MU's nine hits. Fewell and W.T. Hoover each drove in two runs.

Brandon Smith (1-1) suffered the loss as he allowed five hits and five runs (four earned) in four innings. Smith was hurt by five walks.

Mark Frazier gave up two hits and one run without retiring a batter.

The Indians' final two hurlers had more success. Jeffrey Hilz allowed two hits and one run in four innings, fanning four and walking two. Then freshman Brad Beatty Southeast's designated hitter saw his first mound duty of the year and pitched a scoreless, hitless ninth.

MU broke on top with single runs in each of the first three innings. After Southeast closed the gap with a two-run fourth, the Tigers began to pull away with a three-run fifth. They added their final tally in the eighth.

Southeast will have another non-conference game against a regional rival today when the Indians visit Carbondale, Ill., for a 3 p.m. contest with Southern Illinois.