Redhawks pitcher provides long relief in 11-4 victory over SIU

Nobody has ever questioned Ivan Nails' arm strength since the junior college transfer arrived at Southeast Missouri State.

Nails, who joined the Redhawks baseball program before last season, can bring it. His fastball has been clocked upwards of 90 mph.

But sometimes Southeast coaches believe Nails tries to show off his powerful right arm a bit too much.

That especially had been the case through the early part of his senior season, a big reason Nails had a 9.00 ERA in just 10 innings entering this week.

Nails, a Mississippi native, has been working with Southeast pitching coach Jeff Dodson on toning things down a bit, on staying more "under control," according to Dodson.

Nails was not only under control Tuesday afternoon, but also in total control as he helped lead the host Redhawks past regional rival Southern Illinois 11-4.

SIU, which carried a five-game winning streak into the nonconference game at Capaha Field, jumped on Southeast freshman starter Brad LaBruyere for four runs in the first inning.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Ivan Nails delivered a pitch to a Southern Illinois batter Tuesday at Capaha Field.

Nails relieved LaBruyere with two outs and two runners on. He got out of that jam and proceeded to fire shutout ball into the ninth, where he was replaced with two outs. By that time, the Redhawks had rallied for a big lead.

Nails worked eight innings in the longest stint of his two-year Southeast career. He allowed four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five.

"I just didn't try to overthrow," said Nails, who notched his first victory of the season, against two losses. "I've been working with coach Dodson in the bullpen, and I could tell a big difference.

"This is what I needed to get me going."

Southeast Missouri State's Nick Harris was congratulated by teammates after hitting a three-run homer during the fourth inning.

Nails had a solid rookie Division I season last year, going 3-2 with a 5.21 ERA. He tied for the team lead in saves with three, but was hurt by 18 walks in 38 innings. He made 22 appearances -- tied for the most on the squad -- with 21 in a relief role.

Nails was considered one of the mainstays of the Redhawks' bullpen entering this season, but he had been struggling, which limited his work. He entered Tuesday having allowed 12 hits and 12 walks in 10 innings.

"Ivan is a guy, if he stays under control, he's very good, what you saw today," Dodson said. "He's really been working on his command, getting ahead, challenging guys.

"Hands down, that's the best outing of the year for the whole staff, in a clutch situation."

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State catcher Jim Klocke threw to first base on a sacrifice bunt by Southern Illinois' Tyler Lairson during the third inning Tuesday at Capaha Field. Lairson was retired on the play.

That's primarily because the last thing the Redhawks wanted to do was, with another nonconference game tonight, go through a big chunk of their mid-week hurlers.

"Tip your hat to the job Ivan did," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "It was off the charts. I was so impressed with him."

Impressed enough that Hogan said Nails will likely earn his first start of the season Sunday, when Southeast finishes a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Jacksonville State. The Redhawks are in second place in the 10-team league.

Meanwhile, Nails had plenty of help from Southeast's offense as the Redhawks (14-10) improved to a season-high four games above .500.

Southeast trailed 4-1 after three innings, but sophomore shortstop Nick Harris' three-run homer in the fourth -- part of a four-run rally -- put the Redhawks ahead to stay at 5-4.

The Redhawks blew out the Salukis (18-12) with a five-run seventh that completed the scoring.

"It's a great win," said sophomore catcher Jim Klocke, who had his second four-hit game in the past week. "We started off pretty slow, but about the third or fourth inning we picked it up."

Like Dodson and Hogan, Klocke was impressed by Nails.

"That's the best I've seen him throw," Klocke said. "He was locating, changing speeds, really pitching."

Klocke went 4-for-5, including his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the first inning. Klocke raised his team-leading batting average to .383.

"I'm seeing the ball pretty well," he said.

Also seeing the ball well these days is junior designated hitter/catcher Kieran Bradford, who had received sparse playing time until the past several games.

Bradford, an Australian who was a junior college All-American last season at Three Rivers Community College, went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. He raised his average to .306.

"It's about time, I think," said Bradford of his recent surge. "I've started to feel pretty good in the box."

Said Hogan: "He was an All-American. ... I can see why now. It's all about taking advantage of opportunities."

Harris added two hits, including his fifth homer of the season. Southeast leads the OVC with 35 home runs.

Freshman outfielder Blake Slattery, like LaBruyere a Central High School product, added two hits and junior second baseman Tony Spencer had two RBIs.

"It was a good performance for us," said Hogan, whose squad has already posted several impressive nonconference wins, including at nationally ranked Vanderbilt. "I like the way we're playing."

Hogan said redshirt freshman Corey Harness will make his first collegiate start tonight when Arkansas State (14-18) visits Capaha Field for a 6:30 p.m. contest.

Bluff City Beer, as tonight's game sponsor, will provide free food and beverages.