Redhawks exit OVC tourney after two games

~ Southeast was ousted from the OVC baseball tournament with a 10-inning loss

JACKSON, Tenn. -- New location, same result for the Southeast Missouri State baseball team.

Two and out.

The Redhawks went 0-2 at the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for the second year in a row.

This time that scenario was particularly excruciating for the Redhawks, who dropped a pair of extra-inning games.

Fourth-seeded Southeast was bounced from the six-team, double-elimination event with Thursday's 13-9, 10-inning loss to third-seeded Murray State.

That came after Wednesday's 10-5 setback to fifth-seeded Eastern Illinois, also in 10 innings.

"We battled as a team. We just couldn't figure out a way to win," senior All-American catcher Jim Klocke said. "We had our opportunities to win both games."

Southeast dropped its opening two games for the first time since 2005. Last season, the final of a nine-year run for the tournament in Paducah, Ky.

History repeated itself this year as the tournament started a three-year contract at Pringles Park, a Class AA minor league stadium.

"It's just disappointing," junior left fielder Michael Adamson said. "I know I'm biased, but I thought we were the favorites, the most talented team."

Southeast finished the year with a 30-25 record as the Redhawks lost 10 of their final 14 games.

"I thought we played hard both games," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "To come out short in two extra-inning games, it's really hard to swallow. We had our chances."

In Thursday's loss, MSU (26-27-1) explode for six runs in the top of the first inning.

Southeast battled back to take its only lead on junior center fielder Blake Slattery's sixth-inning RBI single that made it 9-8.

The Thoroughbreds tied it in the eighth and won it with a four-run 10th.

Kyle Tiernan's solo homer off Adamson broke the deadlock and OVC player of the year Wes Cunningham's three-run blast off Klocke padded the margin.

"We got behind the eight ball with a great start by Murray," Hogan said. "We battled back, just couldn't finish it off."

Southeast junior Nick Thomas was greeted by six consecutive first-inning hits -- including two doubles -- without recording an out. He was charged with all six runs in the frame, five earned.

Junior left-hander Logan Mahon stopped the bleeding with 7 1/3 strong innings. The previous season high for the junior college transfer was 6 1/3 innings.

"He threw wonderful," Hogan said. "Thomas just had nothing. That was stunning."

Mahon was charged with three runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked four while throwing 128 pitches.

"I mixed it up, and our defense worked real well today," Mahon said.

Adamson (1-3) took the loss. He was charged with three runs on five hits in two innings.

Southeast had 12 hits, led by junior right fielder Louie Haseltine and junior third baseman Casey Jones with three each. Adamson had two hits and two RBIs while Klocke added two hits.

Adamson finished with 92 hits, the highest single-season total in school history. He and sophomore shortstop Kenton Parmley both entered Thursday with 90 hits.

"Two good games. We kept fighting," Haseltine said. "Unfortunately we didn't come out on top."

The Thoroughbreds faced Southeast in the heat of the day about an hour after suffering a tough 4-3 first-round loss to Eastern Kentucky. That game was supposed to have been played Wednesday night but was postponed because of a lights malfunction.

Murray State didn't appear fatigued, pounding out 18 hits and getting stellar relief from Alex Love (7-1), who allowed one run and two hits over the final five innings.

"I didn't doubt our guys would give a great effort," MSU coach Rob McDonald said. "I was just hoping we'd have enough in the tank."

Despite a second straight winless tournament, the Redhawks exceeded most expectations as they finished fourth in the OVC's regular season after being picked seventh and suffering several key early injuries.

Southeast also reached 30 wins for the first time since 2007 and the eighth time in program history, all during Hogan's 16 seasons at his alma mater. The Redhawks lose just three seniors.

"The last third of the season we hit a swoon and we didn't finish out very well in the league," Hogan said. "But the thing I'll remember about the 2010 season is the great effort they gave after we lost key guys right off the bat.

"Thirty wins is nothing to sneeze at. I'm very proud of that."

While Southeast should on paper be strong next year, Adamson said: "It's not fun thinking about that right now. But I think it [the tournament showing] will be motivation for me and hopefully for some others."