Redhawks debut at Capaha with five-HR outburst

Southeast Missouri State pulled out the big sticks to continue the momentum it gained over the weekend at Alabama.

The Redhawks belted five home runs -- all in the first four innings -- and eased to an 11-6 win over NAIA Lyon College in Tuesday's home opener.

"It was nice to keep things rolling," junior catcher Jim Klocke said. "Our offense really clicked as a team."

Southeast (3-1) opened the season by taking two of three at then-16th ranked Alabama for the program's first-ever series win over a top-20 Division I squad.

The Redhawks didn't want to take a step back against the Scots (12-2) from Batesville, Ark., who came to town riding an 11-game winning streak.

Senior first baseman Matt Wagner led Southeast's home-run barrage with a pair of long balls to right field, two-run shots in the first and third innings.

Wagner went 3-for-4 after going just 2-for-13 during the Alabama series.

"It felt good to get the swing back," said Wagner, a first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference pick last season when he hit 11 homers.

Klocke also homered, a solo shot to dead center leading off the third inning.

"We only had three extra-base hits at Alabama. It's good to show we can hit the long ball," said Klocke, also first-team all-OVC in 2008.

Senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings -- Southeast's final all-OVC first-team selection from last season -- ripped a three-run homer to center in the fourth inning. He had two hits.

"We've got the offense to do it," said Cummings of Tuesday's long-ball binge.

There should be no doubt about that since Southeast led the OVC with 60 home runs in 2008 and returned most of its lineup.

Cummings, Southeast's home run leader last year with 12, had the Redhawks' only homer at Alabama.

"We've got a lot of experience, pretty much the same lineup as last year," Wagner said.

Senior left fielder Justin Wheeler had Southeast's other home run, a solo blast to left-center leading off the second inning.

The Redhawks banged out 18 hits -- 14 in the first four innings -- including three from sophomore DH Louie Haseltine and two from freshman shortstop Kenton Parmley. Both drove in their first collegiate run.

Haseltine, 1-for-9 in limited action last year, went 0-for-6 at Alabama.

"Louie's a good hitter," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "He just had to relax."

With Southeast leading 11-2 entering the fifth inning, Hogan was able to get a host of reserves in the game. Several local products recorded career firsts.

Freshman Kody Campbell from Oran High School singled in his first collegiate at-bat and went 1-for-2.

Junior Kendal Deason from Kelly High School -- a first-year squad member -- also singled in his first collegiate plate appearance.

Junior pitcher Kirk Boeller from Notre Dame Regional High School -- also in his first year with the program -- received his first collegiate action and worked a perfect seventh inning.

"I was glad we got the lead so we could use some different guys," Hogan said. "They got their feet wet."

Hogan went into the contest planning to use plenty of pitchers, and the Redhawks wound up trotting eight to the mound.

Junior left-hander Josh Syberg received credit for the victory after allowing two hits and a run over the first two innings.

Junior left-hander Andy Stephens from Scott City was impressive as he struck out the side in the sixth inning.

Also sharp was junior center fielder Nick Harris, who Hogan plans to use as Southeast's closer this year.

Harris, in his first collegiate pitching appearance, struck out two and allowed just an infield single in a scoreless ninth inning.

"We wanted to get quite a few pitchers work," Hogan said. "I thought Nick threw really well.

"Overall it was a nice effort in our first home game."

Southeast hosts Purdue in a four-game series beginning Friday. The Boilermakers finished second last season in the Big Ten Conference regular season and tournament.