SE BASEBALL BOUNCES BACK, SPLITS WITH EKU

RICHMOND, Ky. -- One day after being embarrassed 24-2, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team bounced back with a strong performance here Saturday.

The Indians played well in the opener before falling 3-2, then came back to prevail 10-7 as they earned a split of their Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky.

Southeast is now 8-16 overall and 3-6 in OVC play. EKU is 10-14 and 3-3.

A brilliant defensive play in the opener by EKU second baseman Adam Basil prevented a possible sweep by the Indians.

Trailing 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Southeast had runners on first and third with two outs. Kyle Yount grounded what looked like a sure game-tying single, but Basil left his feet for the stop, then while still on the ground threw Yount out at first to end the contest.

The Indians shook that off and belted two home runs to roll in the second game.

Jason Swearingen (2-3) was the tough-luck first-game loser. He allowed six hits in six innings while striking out three and walking one.

Mike Miller had three of Southeast's nine hits while Lance Craft and LaMonte Collier both added two.

Miller and Collier both added two more hits in the nightcap while Brian Pepper went 4-for-4 and joined Collier in hitting balls out of the park. The Indians finished with 13 hits.

Troy Pehle (2-1) was the winner. He gave up four hits and two earned runs among five total runs in five innings. Dan Huesgen finished up, allowing three hits and two runs in two innings.

The Indians fell behind 3-0 in the first inning but stormed back with seven unanswered runs through the second and fourth innings to take control.