SE BASEBALL TEAM EARNS SPLIT AT EIU

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team bounced back to earn a split during its Ohio Valley Conference opener Saturday afternoon.

The Indians fell to host Eastern Illinois 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader before blasting the Panthers 16-7 in the nightcap.

Southeast, now 13-5 overall, and EIU (3-10) will close out the three-game series with a 1 p.m. contest today.

Saturday's opener featured a pitcher's duel between Southeast's Dan Huesgen and EIU's John Larson.

Shane Allen homered off Larson in the top of the fifth inning, his third home run of the season, to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. But Christ Martin belted a two-run shot off Huesgen in the bottom of the frame to put the Panthers ahead to stay as there was no more scoring.

The Indians threatened during their final chance in the seventh as they loaded the bases with two outs. But EIU reliever Mike Ziroli struck out Darin Kinsolving on a full count to end the contest.

Huesgen (2-2) allowed four hits and both runs in 4 1/3 innings. Jeffrey Hilz finished up with 1 2/3 hitless innings, striking out three.

Larson (1-2) gave up six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Allen and Jeremy Johnson both had two hits for the Indians.

In the second game, it was all Southeast as the Indians scored nine times in the second inning to break things open early.

The Indians banged out 19 hits and hit four homers, including a pair by Kinsolving, his fifth and sixth of the season. Jeff Bourbon belted his sixth and Charlie Marino got his fifth.

Marino drove in five runs while Kinsolving had four RBIs and Kevin Meyer three.

Marino led the hit parade with four. Meyer had three while Kinsolving, Bourbon, Phil Warren and Zach Borowiak all added two.

Lanson Debrock (4-2) got the win as he allowed eight hits and four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

In Southeast's nine-run second inning, Marino drilled a grand slam and Kinsolving hit one of his two-run homers on the day.