Redhawks bang out 18 hits but fall prey to Saint Louis University's power attack

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team had a season-high 18 hits Tuesday but failed to extend its winning streak.

That's because Saint Louis University also had its offense going, getting 13 hits and all of the game's three home runs, as the host Billikens won 10-6.

Southeast, which had won three straight, fell to 4-3. SLU is also 4-3.

The Redhawks banged out five doubles but stranded 13 runners and hit into two double plays.

Junior college transfer second baseman Tim Rupp led Southeast's offense with four hits in five at-bats. He also drove in three runs.

Getting three hits apiece for the Redhawks were sophomore shortstop Kenton Parmley and juco transfer third baseman Casey Jones.

Senior catcher Jim Klocke, sophomore first baseman Kody Campbell and juco transfer center fielder Michael Adamson all added two hits.

SLU's Danny Brock had two home runs and three RBIs. He already has four homers and 16 RBIs this season. Andrew Guerra added the Bills' other homer.

Southeast scored single runs in the first two innings to lead 2-0.

The Bills went ahead 4-2 after four innings before a three-run fifth put Southeast back on top 5-4. Campbell had an RBI double in the frame, while Rupp and Parmley delivered RBI singles.

SLU pulled even in the fifth on a leadoff homer by Brock, the first batter to face Southeast junior reliever Brad LaBruyere.

The Bills took the lead for good at 7-5 with a two-run sixth as LaBruyere was knocked out after allowing three hits in the frame.

Southeast made it 7-6 in the seventh on Rupp's RBI single, but juco transfer Trent Wise balked in a run in the bottom half of the inning.

SLU added insurance in the eighth as Brock belted a two-run homer off senior John Salazar, the last of five Southeast pitchers.

LaBruyere, a Central High School graduate, suffered the loss. He was charged with three runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Juco transfer Jon Dicus, making his first Southeast start, allowed two runs and four hits in three innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Juco transfer Jacob Wente worked the fourth inning, allowing two runs and three hits.

Wise allowed just one hit in 2 1/3 innings but was charged with two runs. He struck out four and walked three. Salazar, who retired one batter, was charged with a run.

Southeast will face some rugged competition this weekend with four games over three days at the BankFirst Challenge in Starkville, Miss.

The Redhawks play twice Friday, against Michigan State of the Big Ten Conference at 12:30 p.m. and host Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference at 4 p.m.

Southeast takes on Mississippi State again at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by a rematch with Michigan State at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Klocke on list

Klocke, Southeast's All-American, is among 53 catchers who have been nominated for the Johnny Bench Award watch list. The award is given annually to the top Division I catcher.

The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists, who will be announced May 19. Three finalists will be announced June 2 before the NCAA regionals and Major League draft.

The winner will be announced July 1 at the 13th Annual Greater Wichita (Kan.) Sports Banquet.