Redhawks off to good start against Tech

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Rain was about the only thing that could slow down Southeast Missouri State's suddenly explosive baseball team Saturday.

The Redhawks ripped host Tennessee Tech 20-10 in the first game of a doubleheader, and the Redhawks led 4-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning in the nightcap when rain forced the suspension of that contest.

Southeast and Tech will resume the seven-inning suspended game at 1 p.m. today, which will be followed by the regularly-scheduled finale of the three-game series. That contest also will be seven innings.

The Redhawks improved to 19-28 overall and 10-12 in Ohio Valley Conference play with Saturday's opening-game victory.

Southeast temporarily moved into a tie for sixth place in the 10-team OVC with Samford after the Bulldogs lost their opener to Tennessee-Martin, although Samford moved one-half game ahead of Southeast by winning the nightcap. The top six finishers qualify for the OVC Tournament.

Tech (12-37, 5-16) fell into sole possession of last place in the OVC. The Eagles entered Saturday's action tied for last with Tennessee-Martin.

The Redhawks have struggled offensively much of the season, but last Sunday they reached season highs for runs and hits during a 16-4 rout of Morehead State that featured 18 hits.

That offensive punch continued in Saturday's opener -- the start of which was delayed by rain for nearly two hours -- as Southeast banged out 21 hits, including four home runs.

Freddy Lopez, who had not homered all season prior to connecting twice in one game last weekend against Morehead State, added two more home runs in Saturday's opener. He went 2-for-6 with three RBIs.

Bo Jenkins added his second home run of the season, while Eric Horstman homered for the first time this year, a three-run shot in the ninth inning that completed the scoring and finished off a six-RBI game for Southeast's leading hitter.

Horstman also had a hit in the suspended nightcap, as he extended his hitting streak to 18 games. Horstman has reached base safely in 40 consecutive games, which is the nation's fifth-longest streak.

Jordan Payne actually was Southeast's offensive star in the opener. He went 6-for-6 to tie a school record for most hits in a game. Payne, who doubled twice, had three RBIs and scored four runs.

Horstman was 3-for-6 with three runs scored; Brent Lawson was 3-for-6; Jenkins was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored; and Brady Noll was 2-for-5.

Freshman Joey Evans, despite being hit as hard as he has all season, still improved to 7-4. He worked the first five innings, allowing nine hits and eight runs (seven earned) with four strikeouts and two walks.

Ryan Forsyth pitched the next three innings, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned). Lawson hurled a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit.

The Redhawks actually trailed 2-0 after one inning, but a four-run second put them ahead for good. Six runs in the third made it 10-3 and the rout was on.

About the only negative aspect of the lopsided victory was freshman first baseman James Clayton suffering a wrist injury late in the contest. Southeast trainers fear the wrist is broken.

Southeast also trailed in the seven-inning nightcap as Tech scored first, in the second inning. A two-run single by Lopez in the third put the Redhawks ahead 2-1.

The Redhawks made it 4-1 in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Frankie Montiel and an RBI single by Lopez. Then the rains came and play was stopped for more than an hour before the decision was made to suspend the contest.

Jamie McAlister was in control on the mound when the game was suspended. It is not known whether he will pitch today when play is resumed.