Razorbacks next on list of D-I tests for Indians

Southeast Missouri State University will again test itself against an elite program when the Indians play their final non-conference games this week.

This time, the Arkansas Razorbacks will provide the opposition in games today (6:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (5 p.m.) in Fayetteville, Ark.

"It's another chance for us to compete against one of the premier programs in the country," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad has played several NCAA Division I programs this season, including Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wichita State. The Indians own a road win at Oklahoma State.

Southeast, 28-16 overall, has clinched the Ohio Valley Conference championship with a 14-4 mark. The Indians close the regular season this weekend with a three-game OVC series at Morehead State.

Arkansas is 28-21 overall and 11-13 in the SEC after sweeping a three-game series from 16th-ranked Mississippi State over the weekend.

The Razorbacks are led by coach Norm DeBriyn, who has a 1,154-643-6 record in his 33rd season at the school. He has led Arkansas to 14 NCAA Tournament berths and four College World Series appearances.

Baum Stadium, the $8.9 million home of the Razorbacks, was chosen college baseball's best facility in a 1998 survey by Baseball America.

"Norm DeBriyn is one of the really tremendous coaches in the game and it's an honor to go against his team," Hogan said. "It's also a great opportunity for our guys to play in one of the top stadiums in the country."

Arkansas, which leads the all-time series with Southeast 5-1, has a .274 team batting average and a 4.24 earned-run average.

Scott Bridges (.325), Clay Goodwin (.319) and Jeff Fletcher (.314) are the only Razorbacks hitting above .300 while Michael Conner (13 home runs, 36 RBIs) and Ryan Fox (9 homers, 44 RBIs) are the top power threats.

Charlie Isaacson (4-6, 3.00 ERA) and Jonathan Richmond (2-4, 3.25) have been the Razorbacks' most effective starting pitchers, while Scott Woods (5-1, 2.45) has led the way out of the bullpen.

"If we go over there and play as well as we have been, we'll have a chance to be in the games with them," Hogan said. "We're excited about the opportunity."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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