SE FACES BIG OVC WEEKEND

It's only the second weekend of league play, but Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team already faces a showdown of sorts.

When the Indians and Eastern Illinois square off in a three-game series at Capaha Field, it will pit last year's top two teams in the Ohio Valley Conference -- and the two squads expected to battle for the OVC title this season.

The teams will have a 2 p.m. doubleheader today and a 2 p.m. single game Sunday.

"It's a very big series and we're looking forward to the challenge," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan.

Southeast is the defending OVC Tournament champion, having beaten Eastern Illinois in the finals last season.

Eastern Illinois captured last year's OVC regular-season championship, with Southeast finishing second.

The Indians are this year's preseason OVC favorites according to a poll of the league's coaches. The Panthers were picked second in the same poll.

"We had a real battle with them last year and I'm sure it's going to be that way again this time," said Hogan. "I know both teams feel like they have a good shot (of winning the conference)."

Of course, no way does Hogan expect the Indians and Panthers to wage a two-team race for the league title. Several other squads figure to be in the mix and a couple made statements during last weekend's opening of conference play.

Murray State and Austin Peay are both off to 3-0 league starts. Southeast and Eastern Illinois are each 2-1.

The Indians are 9-11 overall after Wednesday night's thrilling 4-3 win at Memphis that saw Southeast rally with two runs in the ninth inning.

Eastern Illinois is just 6-13 overall, but the Panthers have won five of their last six games after an extremely slow start.

"They had an outstanding ballclub last season and I know they'll be very good again this year," Hogan said.

Ryan Spille and Lanson Debrock, who are both off to strong starts, are scheduled to be the starting pitchers in today's doubleheader.

Spille, last year's OVC Pitcher of the Year and a third-team All-American, is 5-0 with a 3.38 earned-run average.

Debrock, a former Notre Dame High School standout, is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA.

Dan Huesgen (1-3, 5.05 ERA) is slated to get the nod Sunday.

Southeast's leading hitter is Jeremy Johnson at .417. He sat out Wednesday's game at Memphis with a hamstring problem but should be ready to go this weekend.

The only other Indian batting better than .300 so far is Phil Warren at .375.

Eastern Illinois is led by Tim Aurrichio at .385.

"It should be a great weekend of baseball," said Hogan. "There's still a long way to go after these three games, but there's no doubt they're very important."