SE BASEBALL SQUAD FALLS TO IOWA STATE

Iowa State baseball coach Lyle Smith was happy to get out of Cape Girardeau with a victory.

Southeast Missouri State University coach Mark Hogan was generally pleased with the way the weekend went even after his squad lost Sunday afternoon.

So both coaches had reason to be upbeat after a thrilling 6-5 Iowa State victory in front of about 200 fans at Capaha Field.

The Indians, who had swept a Saturday doubleheader from Iowa State by a combined 19-2 score, fell to 2-4 on the young season.

The Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference evened their record at 2-2.

"It's nice to get out of here with a win," said Smith. "It was a good game."

Hogan, despite Sunday's setback, has been encouraged by the play of his young, new-look squad, which has just one senior and a host of first-year players.

Southeast lost all three games at Mississippi last weekend but held late leads in every contest. And the Indians had an impressive opening home series against Iowa State.

"We're doing a lot of good things and we're only going to get better. I like where this club is at right now," Hogan said. "Our hitting really came alive this weekend and our defense continues to be strong."

The Indians, after getting 26 hits -- including 12 for extra bases -- during Saturday's two games, got 12 more hits Sunday, five of them going for extra bases.

And the Indians played errorless ball Sunday, marking their third game out of six without an error.

"Overall it was a pretty well played game," said Hogan of Sunday's contest. "There were some mistakes, but for the middle of February, it was pretty good baseball.

"You have to give Iowa State credit. After losing both games Saturday, they really bounced back."

Robert Kern had a big offensive day for the Indians with three hits -- including a double -- that were all rockets.

"Robert really hit the ball well. He's capable of being that kind of hitter for us," Hogan said.

Darin Kinsolving also had three hits, including two doubles, while Kyle Yount added two hits and Charlie Marino belted his second home run of the season.

Iowa State, which had only six hits, got two each by Bill Uelman and Tom Wierzbicki.

Dan Huesgen, who had struggled in two relief appearances at Mississippi, started Sunday and pitched five innings of one-run ball before running out of gas in a three-run Iowa State sixth.

Huesgen allowed five hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.

"Dan needed that and I thought he would bounce back," said Hogan. "He has such a good arm."

Chad Bogenpohl, the fourth of five Southeast pitchers, took the loss despite not allowing a hit. Bogenpohl walked four and hit a batter, which led to single Cyclone runs in the eighth and ninth.

Lanson DeBrock and Jerry Wolsey were both sharp in scoreless relief stints, DeBrock allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings while Wolsey did not allow a hit while striking out two in one inning.

"Jerry has really looked good so far," said Hogan. "He was a medical redshirt last year (with an arm injury) but he's throwing well. And Lanson is really going to help us."

Steve Larkin, the last among three Iowa State hurlers, got the win. He gave up one run in two innings.

With the game tied 4-4, the Cyclones scored single runs in the eighth and ninth -- despite not getting a hit -- to go up 6-4.

Things got really exciting in the bottom of the ninth. The powerful Marino led off with a solo home run that cleared the scoreboard beyond the left-field fence.

"He hit it with one hand," marveled Hogan. "That guy is so strong."

With one out, Kinsolving doubled. Jeff Bourbon then reached on an error, putting runners on first and third.

But Yount grounded to second and the Cyclones were able to turn a game-ending double play.

"We had the winning run on base and a good, solid hitter up," Hogan said. "I liked our chances, but give Iowa State credit for turning two."

The Indians will visit Memphis Tuesday before returning home Wednesday to face Southern Illinois at 2 p.m.