Redhawks take 'Bama series

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team has posted its share of victories over nationally ranked squads under coach Mark Hogan.

But the Redhawks never had been able to win a series against a top-20 program during Hogan's first 14 seasons at Southeast. In fact, it had never happened in the school's Division I history.

That changed early during Hogan's 15th season.

Southeast stunned 16th-ranked Alabama twice during the season-opening, three-game set, capped by Sunday's 8-4 comeback win in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Redhawks, after dropping Friday's opener 5-1, posted an 8-3 victory Saturday.

"I'm thrilled to death for the players, the coaches and all the work they've put in," Hogan said. "It's a great way to start, opening up against a ranked team and a program as storied as Alabama.

"They're loaded. They have a really nice ballclub. To go here and win two out of three is really exciting."

Southeast trailed 3-0 after three innings, tied it with a three-run sixth, but fell back behind 4-3 entering the seventh.

The Redhawks answered with a four-run seventh. Junior catcher Jim Klocke's two-run triple put Southeast ahead to stay and senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings' two-run homer capped the outburst.

"We got some really big hits," Hogan said.

After Southeast added an insurance run in the eighth, Klocke obtained the final six outs in his first collegiate pitching performance.

Hogan entered the season planning to use both Klocke and junior center fielder Nick Harris -- who also has never pitched in college -- in relief roles, with Harris serving as closer.

Harris wasn't needed this time as Klocke mowed down Alabama over the final two innings.

Klocke retired six of the seven batters he faced, four on strikeouts, while allowing one hit.

"Jim was brilliant," Hogan said. "He was a very good pitcher in high school. He's got a really good arm, and so does Nick. We're going to give those guys the ball this year."

Joining Klocke as the No. 1 pitching star Sunday was sophomore Brad LaBruyere, who notched the victory.

LaBruyere, a Central High School product, relieved starter Greg Hendrix with two outs in the third inning and the Redhawks trailing 3-0.

LaBruyere proceeded to hurl 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He allowed two hits while striking out four and walking two.

"Brad threw great for us, just like James Leigh did last night," said Hogan of Leigh's dominant 7 1/3-inning performance to close out Saturday's victory. "Brad bridged the game for us, he put us in a position for our offense to come back."

Southeast had 11 hits to seven for Alabama. The Redhawks outhit the Crimson Tide 30-24 in the series, including 25-14 over the final two games.

"We got the bats hot," Hogan said.

Klocke doubled, tripled and had four RBIs. He had five hits and six RBIs in the series.

"He had an All-American type weekend," Hogan said.

Senior second baseman Tony Spencer went 3-for-3 to finish the series with six hits.

Cummings and sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses matched Klocke with two hits apiece.

Moses, from Advance High School, led the Redhawks with seven hits in the series. Cummings had six hits and Spencer added five.

Also of note Sunday, freshman shortstop Kenton Parmley -- who started all three games in the series and handled several difficult plays -- got his first collegiate hit.

"We really had a lot of guys come through this weekend," Hogan said.

The Redhawks' pitching -- a sore spot last season -- was sharp in all three games. Hogan credited first-year pitching coach Rick McCarty.

"He's implemented some new things and done a great job," Hogan said. "If we get that kind of pitching, with the way we can score runs and the defense we play. ... I think this is a club that has a chance to do some things.

"It's a work in progress, but it's a real good start."

Southeast opens its home schedule Tuesday with a 1 p.m. contest against NAIA Lyon (Ark.) College.