Redhawks defeat Colonels in dramatic fashion

Freshman Branden Boggetto is off to a strong start in his young Southeast Missouri State baseball career.

It's going to be hard to top what he did Friday night, at least for a while.

Boggetto hit his first collegiate home run -- a two-run walk-off shot with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Redhawks past visiting Eastern Kentucky 8-6.

Southeast snapped a three-game losing streak by winning the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against the defending OVC regular-season co-champion Colonels.

"Every win is big in conference," junior first baseman Matt Tellor said. "We came out focused tonight."

The Redhawks might have been focused, but they also were reeling after EKU scored two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to forge a 6-6 tie.

But first-year interim coach Steve Bieser liked the Redhawks' demeanor before the bottom of the ninth.

"The guys, when they came back in, they rallied themselves together and said we're going to win this," Bieser said.

Sophomore DH Dalton Hewitt singled with one out, setting the stage for Boggetto, who already had two game-winning hits this season -- including a walk-off suicide squeeze bunt.

Boggetto fell behind in the count before working it full. He deposited the first 3-2 pitch he saw over the left-field wall at spacious Capaha Field, setting off a wild celebration among the entire squad.

"Right when I hit it I knew I hit it good. I knew it would at least be over his [the left fielder's] head," Boggetto said. "It was the best feeling ever, to get the win for the team."

Boggetto's shot was one of five home runs in the game. The other four were to right field, where a strong wind was blowing.

"I knew the wind was blowing out to right. I was very surprised. ... but I knew I hit it good," a smiling Boggetto said.

Boggetto said he has had one other walk-off home run, also a two-run job during his senior season of high school last year.

"We were behind by one run," he said.

Boggetto has been among Southeast's bigger surprises this year while starting games at both shortstop -- where he was Friday -- and second base. He ended Friday's contest hitting .333 with five doubles and 11 RBIs.

"I'm just happy to be out there helping the team," said Boggetto, from Joliet, Ill.

Said Bieser: "He's been outstanding for us. He works hard. He's a clutch player. It seems like it's old hat for him to come up big."

Southeast, which led most of the game -- EKU's only lead was 3-2 in the top of the third inning before the Redhawks went back ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the frame -- carried a 6-4 advantage into the ninth inning.

Senior Bobby Hurst, who has established himself as Southeast's closer, issued a leadoff walk before getting a strikeout.

Demetrius Moorer lofted a fly ball to deep right center field. Both junior center fielder Cole Bieser and freshman right fielder Clayton Evans converged on the ball and it looked like either one could have made the catch.

But Bieser and Evans collided, with the ball falling to the ground for a three-base error charged to Evans -- the only error by either side -- that made it 6-5. Austin Grisham's sacrifice fly tied things.

"We stayed up. We didn't put our heads down. We stayed after it," Tellor said of Southeast's mindset after the disappointing turn of events.

Hurst, among the OVC leaders in saves who was poised to notch his fourth of the season, instead received credit for the victory. He improved to 2-0 with a minuscule 0.96 ERA.

"I feel very comfortable," said Hurst, who struck out two in his one inning of work. "I thought it was just a great team win for us. We were able to rally back after the poor top of the ninth inning."

Sophomore left-hander Will Spitzfaden, who has been Southeast's most consistent starting pitcher so far this year, had another solid outing despite allowing three home runs on the windy evening.

Spitzfaden gave up seven hits and four runs in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one. He is 2-1 with a solid 4.13 ERA.

"He threw the ball outstanding in tough conditions. He gave us a chance to win," Steve Bieser said. "He's been very good for us. He's such a competitor."

Southeast's bullpen, a strength of the team all season, was again impressive despite giving up the lead in the ninth inning.

Senior Tony Zerrusen recorded the final out of the seventh inning with Southeast leading 5-4, a runner on third and two outs. He also set the Colonels down in order in the eighth before giving way to Hurst.

The Redhawks outhit EKU 14-7, led by Tellor, a transfer from Lindenwood University who continues to round into form after missing the first several games of the year as his eligibility was being cleared up.

Tellor went 3 for 5 with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third inning that gave Southeast a 4-3 lead. He also doubled and drove in three runs.

"The more I play, the more pitches I see. ... I'm just staying within myself," Tellor said.

Bieser tripled and doubled, good for two RBIs.

Boggetto and Hewitt added two hits apiece as all nine Southeast starters hit safely.

"We hit the ball up and down the lineup," Steve Bieser said.

Southeast all-OVC first-team junior left fielder Derek Gibson returned to action after missing the last six games with a hamstring injury. He had a hit and scored twice.

Shaun Ball, Matt Phipps and Luke Wurzelbacher all homered for the Colonels.

EKU starter Anthony Bazzani left the game in the fourth inning after he appeared to pull something following a throw to first base to retire a batter after a ground ball.