SE BASEBALL, SOFTBALL TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST SIU

Regional bragging rights will be on the line today for both the Southeast Missouri State University baseball and softball teams when they take on Southern Illinois.

Southeast's baseball squad will cross the river and make the relatively short trek to Carbondale for a 3 p.m. game with the Salukis.

Southeast's softball team will entertain the Salukis in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at the Southeast Softball Complex.

The baseball Indians are 17-7 after dropping both ends of a doubleheader at Belmont (Tenn.) last Saturday. Southeast is 4-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

SIU's baseball Salukis are 12-15 overall and 4-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"We've got a really good rivalry with SIU and we're looking forward to a very good ballgame," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan.

Tommy Thomas (3-0, 4.63 earned-run average) is scheduled to start on the mound today for the Indians, who will host Middle Tennessee in a big three-game OVC series this weekend. There will be a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 2 p.m. single game Sunday.

Meanwhile, the softball Otahkians are 11-13 and have won three of their last four games. They'll be going up against an SIU squad that is 26-12 but has lost three of its last four.

The Otahkians and Salukis met March 25 in Carbondale, with SIU scoring a run in the seventh inning to prevail 1-0.

"I'm looking for some quality competition heading into our big weekend series with Eastern Kentucky," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond. "We'll have to be on top of our game in hitting, fielding and pitching. This is a good rivalry and I look for two tight games."

Following today's games, the Otahkians will host Eastern Kentucky in a three-game OVC series, with a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 2 p.m. single game Sunday. Southeast is 3-1 in OVC play.