Redhawks split two with Purdue

Southeast Missouri State's potent offense finally was silenced in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against visiting Purdue.

But not before the Redhawks ran their winning streak to four with a thrilling 13-10 victory in the opener.

"The first game was pretty exciting, especially when you can come back the way we did," junior catcher Jim Klocke said.

Purdue bounced back to capture the nightcap 9-2 as the scheduled four-game series got under way in cold, windy conditions at Capaha Field.

"It was a great win for us in the first game, an exciting win in brutal conditions," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I tip my hat to both teams and the umpires for being out here for 18 innings on this kind of day."

Southeast is 4-2. Purdue, which finished second in the Big Ten Conference regular season and tournament last year, is 2-4.

"Purdue has a real fine club," Hogan said. "They've really got a good offensive club and a lot of nice arms."

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com The Redhawks congratulate Nick Harris on his grand slam against Purdue during the second inning of the first game of a doubleheader Friday at Capaha Field.

Each squad finished the day with 18 hits. Southeast did most of its damage in the opener as it banged out 12 hits.

That marked the fifth straight game where Southeast reached double figures in hits, a streak that featured 55 hits and 40 runs.

Still, the Redhawks needed several comebacks to come out on top.

Southeast fell behind 5-0 as junior college transfer Kyle Gumieny was knocked out without retiring a batter in the second inning.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan watches his team take on Purdue on a frigid Friday afternoon at Capaha Field.

A six-run second featuring junior center fielder Nick Harris' grand slam put Southeast ahead 6-5, but the Redhawks found themselves down 10-7 entering their seventh.

That's when another six-run frame put Southeast back on top for good.

The go-ahead blow was Klocke's three-run double that made it 12-10.

"The first game was kind of a slugfest," senior first baseman Matt Wagner said. "We got enough at the end."

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com The Redhawks crowd to congratulate Nick Harris (8) on his grand slam against Purdue in the second inning Friday afternoon, February 27, 2009, at Capaha Field.

Klocke made the lead stand up as he continued to thrive in his new role of late-inning reliever.

Klocke never had pitched in a collegiate game until he closed out a win at Alabama last weekend with two scoreless innings, although it was not a save situation.

This time Klocke was in line for a save as he took the ball in the eighth with the 13-10 lead. He allowed two hits over the final two innings to nail down the victory.

Klocke said he has welcomed the chance to pitch in key situations this year.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com First baseman Matt Wagner barely beats Purdue's Nick Overmyer to the bag Friday afternoon, February 27, 2009, at Capaha Field.

"I like being on the mound when the game is on the line," Klocke said. "It's always fun to get out there and compete.

"It brings me back to my high school days [when he pitched Vianney of St. Louis to victory in the state championship game as a senior]."

Said Hogan: "Jim's got a good arm, he throws strikes and he's got a lot of savvy on the mound. He's done great in that role for us so far."

Klocke went 3-for-5 with two doubles in the opener, while Wagner and sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses from Advance both went 2-for-4.

Junior left-hander Josh Syberg improved to 2-0 as he notched the win by recording the final out in the top of the seventh just before Southeast's big rally.

As exciting as the opener was, the nightcap was fairly routine as Purdue again jumped out to an early lead, but this time never was threatened seriously.

Another Southeast junior college transfer, left-hander Greg Hendrix, failed to made it out of the third inning as he was charged with six runs to take the loss.

Senior lefty James Leigh kept the Redhawks within striking distance with 4 1/3 two-hit, shutout innings. He struck out six and walked one.

But Southeast's offense could do little against Purdue junior lefty Matt Jansen, who allowed three hits and two runs over seven innings. He fanned six and walked four.

"He threw a great game for them," Wagner said. "We couldn't get anything going."

Southeast managed three hits in the ninth, but could not score against freshman lefty Blake Mascarello, who worked the final two innings.

Wagner was the only Southeast player to solve Purdue's two southpaws. He went 3-for-4 with a solo home run — his team-leading third homer of the season — to finish the doubleheader 5-for-8.

"Their lefty in the second game pretty well dominated us," Hogan said of Jansen.

Dan Black had Purdue's only home run of the day, a two-run shot in the first inning of the nightcap that got the visitors off to a strong start. Blake had 18 homers and 70 RBIs last season.

Tyler Spillner went 4-for-9 for Purdue in the twin bill. He had three hits and three RBIs in the first game, while Nick Overmyer had three doubles in the opener.

"The second game we didn't come out and play as well as we could," Klocke said. "But Purdue is a good ballclub. They outhit us in key situations in the second game and their pitcher threw really well."

Wagner said it wasn't pleasant playing more than six hours of game time in the cold, but he was glad the teams were able to get both contests in.

"It's cold, but you've just got to play through it," Wagner said.