Redhawks defeat Missouri State in opener of series

Brad LaBruyere expected to pitch Tuesday.

The Southeast Missouri State freshman did not anticipate that being in a starting role.

But having less than two hours to get ready for his first collegiate start did not fluster LaBruyere, a Cape Girardeau Central High School product.

LaBruyere worked five strong innings, then Jake Kemper finished things off as the host Redhawks beat Missouri State 6-2 in the opener of a two-game, nonleague series.

Southeast (9-7) ended a six-game losing streak against MSU (14-6) dating back to 2004.

"It was a good win for us against a very good ballclub," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I was impressed with our team tonight."

That includes LaBruyere, who had been solid in his limited innings this season, and notched his first Southeast win March 14 in a relief role.

Redshirt freshman Corey Harness was scheduled to start Tuesday, but he was scratched after what Hogan termed a "very minor" violation of team rules.

Hogan said he told LaBruyere that he would get the ball in batting practice about 90 minutes before the scheduled 5 p.m. first pitch.

"I figured I'd come on in relief, but when coach told me [he was starting], I was excited. I've been waiting for my first start," LaBruyere said. "I wasn't too nervous. I'm used to starting [in high school and American Legion ball]."

Facing the Missouri Valley Conference's top-hitting team at .327, LaBruyere shut out the Bears through four innings.

LaBruyere, who had pitched just 6 2/3 innings previously this season, was touched for two runs in the fifth.

"I started to get tired," LaBruyere said. "And they're a pretty good hitting team."

LaBruyere struck out five, walked one and allowed six hits as he improved to 2-0. His ERA is 2.31.

"Brad's demeanor is so impressive. He just goes about his business," Hogan said. "I told him yesterday that he would get some work [Tuesday]. I thought he would be perfect [to start] because he just doesn't seem to get flustered.

"It's great to see him come along. It doesn't really surprise me."

Kemper, a junior college transfer, allowed one hit over the final four innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Kemper notched his second save, the only two Southeast has recorded. He had thrown just 2 2/3 innings this season before Tuesday.

"I'm just trying to prove myself, show what I can do," Kemper said.

Said Hogan, who is still trying to get a look at a variety of pitchers: "He's taken advantage of the opportunities he's gotten. He'll for sure get the ball some more."

Southeast's 10-hit attack featured home runs from Tyrell Cummings (his OVC-leading sixth), Matt Wagner (fifth) and Matt Wulfers (second).

Wagner had his second tape-measure blast in five days, a second-inning solo shot to right estimated at over 425 feet.

Wulfers, a Notre Dame Regional High School product, belted a three-run homer over the 400-foot mark in dead center that made it 5-0 in the fourth inning.

Wulfers had a four-RBI game for the second time in five days.

"I've been doing a lot of extra work with coach [Chris] Cafalone, our hitting coach," said Wulfers, who had been struggling. "I'm starting to see some results."

Cummings, who homered in the eighth to round out the night's scoring, had two hits, as did Wagner, Wulfers and freshman Trenton Moses.

Moses, from Advance High School, leads Southeast with a .395 batting average.

Southeast and MSU conclude the series at 2 p.m. today.