Redhawks fall short at Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The difference in Wednesday's well-played contest that ended Southeast Missouri State's three-game winning streak was obvious to Redhawks coach Mark Hogan.

"We squandered a lot of chances," Hogan said. "They were able to handle our hitters in key situations. We failed to get any big hits, and they were able to cash in with men on base."

Host Southern Illinois eased past Southeast 7-3 despite having just one more hit.

With both teams turning in several dazzling defensive plays -- Southeast committed the game's lone error, and it did not lead to any scoring -- the basic difference was the Redhawks stranding 11 runners compared to just five for SIU.

The Salukis, avenging a 7-3 loss to Southeast on March 10 in Cape Girardeau, improved to 26-15. They won for the sixth time in seven games.

The Redhawks fell to 16-23 and had their three-game winning streak snapped.

"We sure played well enough defensively to win, but we didn't score enough," Hogan said. "But this is one of the better SIU clubs I've seen since I've been at Southeast. They're solid."

Two highlights for Southeast were the first home runs as Redhawks by freshman first baseman James Clayton and junior catcher Levi Olson.

The rapidly improving Clayton, who has solidified himself as Southeast's regular first baseman, drilled a pitch over the right-field wall in the second inning, tying the contest at 1-1.

"It was pretty exciting," said Clayton, whose eight doubles rank third on the team. "I wish it would have come with a win, but it still felt good."

Olson, a junior college transfer, hammered a pitch over the left-field wall in the sixth inning, trimming SIU's lead to 7-3. It was a rare two-homer game for Southeast, which entered the contest having hit just 12 home runs all season.

"We haven't had very much power this year, so it was good to see two home runs," Hogan said.

Frankie Montiel had Southeast's other extra-base hit, a double, as he went 2-for-4. Chris Gibson was 2-for-3 and drove in the Redhawks' other run. Freddy Lopez was 2-for-4 as Southeast had 10 hits.

SIU had 11 hits, led by P.J. Finigan's 3-for-4 performance. Chris McCulloch doubled twice and drove in three runs, while freshman Dean Cademartori delivered probably the game's biggest blow, a three-run homer to dead center in the fifth inning that put the Salukis up 7-2 and knocked out starter Casey Johnson.

"Both teams didn't really capitalize, that's why I thought Dean's home run was huge," SIU coach Dan Callahan said.

Added Hogan: "The three-run homer was big. If it's 4-2, it's a totally different game."

Johnson, a freshman left-hander who has been impressive in several nonconference, midweek starts this season, allowed all seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Johnson (1-4) walked four and struck out two.

"Casey didn't have his best stuff," Hogan said.

Two relievers combined to shut down the Salukis the rest of the way. Andy Johnson allowed two hits in 2 1/3 innings, with two strikeouts and one walk. Josh Parham gave up one hit in the eighth.

"Our relievers did a good job," Hogan said. "It was good to see Andy Johnson throw well. We need him and some others down the stretch."

Freshman right-hander Ryan Terry worked five innings for the victory, allowing two runs and seven hits, with four strikeouts and two walks.

Four relievers finished up for the Salukis, including Central High School product Jason Chavez. The senior worked a scoreless ninth, allowing just a walk.

Southeast's defense was highlighted by diving catches from Gibson in left field and Jordan Payne in right field. Both saved runs and prevented potential big innings.

SIU center fielder Kevin Koski made a pair of diving catches, the second one ending the contest.

The Salukis, who never trailed, broke a 1-1 tie in the second. McCulloch's two-run double in the third made it 4-1. It was 4-2 when Cademartori's three-run homer in the fifth gave SIU what turned out to be an insurmountable lead.

Southeast resumes Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday at Eastern Kentucky.