N. IOWA, MOTHER NATURE DAMPEN INDIANS' SPIRITS

The gray skies and cold rain which postponed Southeast Missouri State's doubleheader nightcap with Northern Iowa on Saturday, ironically personified the Indians' demeanor following a 13-12 loss in the opener.

Trailing by four runs going into the top of the ninth inning, the visiting Panthers rallied to pull out an unlikely win, leaving the Indians (2-4) gloomy and saturated in disbelief.

The teams were scheduled to play one game today but will play a doubleheader instead.

Northern Iowa's Ben Fjelland pulled a line-drive, two-run double down the left-field line with two outs off Southeast pitcher Jerry Wolsey for the game-winning hit.

The top of the ninth started out innocent enough for the Indians, with a simple groundout to the second baseman.

Then Northern Iowa's Greg Woodin beat out an infield single, followed by a double by Ryan Brunner. Another infield single by Aaron McEachran followed, knocking in Woodin to make the score 12-9.

A single by Aron Anderson loaded the bases and Brady Weber punched one home with a soft single to left. A fielder's choice chased another run home and sliced the lead to 12-11.

Fjelland, who ended up going 5-for-6 with four runs batted in, followed with his game-winning hit.

"It's disappointing because our kids played hard and we finally got our offense on track somewhat," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "But it's not over until the last out. Even though they didn't hit the ball that hard early in the inning, they kept getting guys on base and were able to cash in on the big double. But it's disappointing any time you have a four-run lead going into the ninth inning and don't win it.

"Northern Iowa has a really good hitting ballclub. They're always going to have a chance."

Southeast's Kyle Yount got his third hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth, but was erased on a double play.

The Indians posted a comeback of their own early in the game. Southeast trailed 4-0 before erupting for seven runs in the third.

Five of those seven runs were unearned. Steve Lowe provided a 2-run homer to right-center field in the inning.

Southeast catcher Brad Hoehner also went deep for the Indians, a two-run shot to straight center.

After pulling out to a seven-run lead in the third, Northern Iowa tied the game in the fifth with three runs of its own and took an 8-7 lead in the top of the sixth.

But Southeast scored two runs in the sixth and the seventh innings and added another in the eighth to take a 12-8 lead.

Mike Egger (1-0) picked up the win for Northern Iowa in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

Greg Budt (0-1) suffered the loss.

None of the four Southeast pitchers went more than three innings. Lanson Debrock got the start for the Indians and allowed six hits and four runs (two earned) and struck out one.

Chad Bogenpohl, an Oak Ridge product, pitched three innings, giving up four earned runs on three hits and four walks. He also fanned three.

Panthers starter Kirk Chamberlain went six innings and allowed nine runs (two earned) on seven hits and a pair of walks. He struck out four.