Redhawks win third straight at Capaha

A homestand that began on shaky footing ended with a bang for Southeast Missouri State's baseball team.

The Redhawks posted their season-high third straight victory Sunday afternoon, coasting past Freed-Hardeman 8-1 at chilly Capaha Field.

Southeast (6-7) began a seven-game homestand by winning just one of its first four, including a three-game sweep at the hands of Bradley last weekend.

"I'm really proud of the guys, especially because the conditions were horrible. It was really cold and windy out there," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We were really disappointed last week at this time, so to bounce back like this is very satisfying."

Freed-Hardeman (14-4), a strong NAIA squad from Henderson, Tenn., hung tough early before the Division I Redhawks took control.

"They've got a good program and they can be a dangerous team," Hogan said. "But we came out ready to play."

The Redhawks had 11 hits, led by three players with two each. Bryan Kurt was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a double; Eric Horstman was 2-for-4 with an RBI; and Jordan Payne went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Brent Lawson doubled and added two RBIs.

"We're starting to hit the ball better, and we're just starting to play better," Kurt said.

Six pitchers combined on a six-hitter, with 12 strikeouts and four walks.

Ryan Forsyth (2-1) started and received credit for the victory with three shutout innings. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

"It feels good the way we're playing now," Forsyth said. "We're starting to hit the ball, and our fielding is better."

Andy Johnson fanned five, walked two and allowed one hit in two innings.

Freshman Casey Johnson ran into some control problems, walking two and allowing a hit in 2/3 of an inning.

Jamie McAlister fanned two and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings, then Lawson -- who rarely pitches -- gave up the Lions' only run, an unearned tally in the eighth. He allowed two hits in his inning of work.

All-American closer Brad Smith fanned the side in the ninth.

"We got excellent pitching. The last three games our pitching has been really good," Hogan said. "Forsyth has looked good. He did a super job again today."

Frankie Montiel's RBI single in the first inning put Southeast ahead 1-0, and Lawson's RBI double in the fourth made it 2-0.

That's the way things stood until Southeast broke things wide open with a five-run sixth, getting RBI hits from Payne, Ernie Bracamonte and Freddy Lopez.

About the only bad news for the Redhawks was leading hitter Montiel leaving the game in the opening inning as he jammed a finger while being thrown out attempting to steal second base.

Hogan said Montiel was removed mainly for precautionary reasons and should be in the lineup when the Redhawks visit 16th-ranked Mississippi for a two-game series beginning Tuesday night.

"He dislocated his left index finger, but they popped it back into place and he should be fine," Hogan said.