SE ATTEMPTS TO AVENGE LOSS TO ARKANSAS

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team will try to avenge a recent loss and also extend its current winning streak in a battle of Indians today.

Southeast and Arkansas State -- both known as the Indians -- will square off in a 3 p.m. single game at Capaha Field.

ASU defeated Southeast 4-2 last Wednesday. But since then, the Indians have reeled off three straight victories to improve to 5-8.

The ASU Indians were also 5-8 prior to a Tuesday game against Mississippi.

Southeast junior center field Jeremy Johnson continues to wield the hot hand offensively for Southeast.

A former standout at Egyptian (Ill.) High School, Johnson leads the Indians in batting average (.449), doubles (five), home runs (three) and runs batted in (15).

Johnson's next double will tie him with Tom Breuer for first place on the school's career list. Johnson has 40 career doubles while Breuer had 41 between 1993-96.

Johnson is also nearing the school's career runs scored record of 127, set by Steve Williams between 1981-84. Johnson has scored 116 runs.

Southeast senior second baseman Kyle Yount also figures to break a major school record this season. With 165 hits, Yount is just 18 off Breuer's career record of 183.

Senior lefthander Ryan Spille is scheduled to be Southeast's starting pitcher today. Spille is 2-0 with a 2.76 earned-run average.

Gymnasts at home tonight

Southeast's gymnastics team will have its second-to-last home action of the season tonight when Central Michigan comes to Houck Field House for a 7 o'clock dual meet.

The Otahkians are coming off two third-place performances during four-team weekend meets on the west coast. Southeast competed at Oregon State Friday night and Boise State Saturday night.

"We need to get rid of a home score of 190.50 in order to move us up in the regional rankings," said Southeast coach Kris Buchheister. "Scoring in the mid-190's would replace the 190.50 in the regional computations and really help us. We were really sharp Saturday night at Boise State when we scored 194.125 and finished just over a point behind the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are ranked fifth nationally. We need that same type of effort (tonight) against Central Michigan."

Following tonight's meet, the Otahkians will conclude their home schedule Sunday when Auburn comes to town.

SE golfers place 13th

NEW ORLEANS -- Southeast Missouri State University's golf team placed 13th in an 18-team field at the the New Orleans Collegiate Classic Tuesday.

McNeese State University won the meet with a 605 total, finishing two strokes ahead of Lamar University. Southeast shot 309 Tuesday -- 20 shots better than Monday's round -- and finished with a 638 total.

Brian Johnson was Southeast's top finisher, tying for 22nd with a 154 (80-74) total.

Southeast's other finishers: Jason Owen 81-79--160, John Litzelfelner 82-80--162, Ryan Smith 86-76--162 and Jake Saladin 92-87--179.