SE GOES DEEP, GOES DOWN; INDIANS LAUNCH EIGHT, STILL LOSE 14-11 TO SIU

With it's top two home run hitters from last year out virtually all season because of injuries, the long ball has not been Southeast Missouri State University's strong suit in 1999.

But Wednesday afternoon, the Indians put on a power display that was nothing short of spectacular.

In front of more than 900 fans on a gorgeous -- albeit extremely windy -- spring day at Capaha Field, the Indians bombed eight homers. Some of them were aided considerably by the strong wind blowing out to right field, but some of them would have cleared the fences any time.

"The wind helped, but we hit the ball well," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad entered the contest with 27 homers in its first 37 games.

All those home runs, however, could not prevent the Indians from going down to their third consecutive defeat. Southern Illinois, despite having just two homers, outlasted Southeast 14-11.

The Salukis thus snapped a nine-game losing streak. In fact, SIU's last win was against Southeast, 6-5 in 11 innings on April 7 in Carbondale.

SIU, which once had a glittering 20-4 record, is now 22-16 after winning for just the second time in its last 14 games. Southeast fell to 17-21.

"It wasn't pretty, to see all those runs scored," said SIU coach Dan Callahan. "But as much as we've been struggling, it's a relief. We needed this win."

As for Hogan, he found it somewhat incredible that the Indians could hit that many homers -- the eight might be the most in school history, although no official records have been kept in that department -- and still lose.

"I've never had a team hit that many. It's probably a school record," he said. "To do that and lose is something."

Darin Kinsolving had two of Southeast's homers as he increased his season total to a team-high nine.

"It was a wild game," said Kinsolving. "And a tough loss."

Also homering for the Indians were freshman Clemente Bonilla Jr., Jeremy Johnson, Kyle Yount, Phil Warren, Jeff Bourbon and Brad Hoehner. For Johnson, Warren and Bourbon, it was their fifth of the year.

Six of the eight homers were solo shots, which helps explain why Southeast still lost. And seven of the eight went to right field, although a few of them -- including Bonilla's monster shot in the first inning and Warren's blast to center -- were really tagged.

While SIU had only two homers, one was especially timely -- and it came off the bat of a local product.

SIU junior Ben Arbeiter, who starred at both Central High School and for Cape Girardeau's American Legion team before going on to play for Jefferson College in Hillsboro, has had a rocky rookie season with the Salukis.

Arbeiter, a catcher by trade, has played sparingly, hitting .286 in just 21 at-bats.

But, after Southeast had rallied to within 12-11 with a five-run eighth -- Johnson and Hoehner had two-run homers while Kinsolving hit a solo shot -- Arbeiter was sent up to pinch-hit in the ninth with a runner on first and one out.

Arbeiter deposited an Allen Landgren pitch over the scoreboard in left for a two-run homer and some SIU breathing room. The blast was the only home run all day that went to left field.

"That was huge," said Callahan. "They (Southeast) had the momentum and Ben really came through."

Arbeiter was all smiles after his first home run of the season that came at a most familiar place.

"It's been tough, sitting on the bench most of the year," he said. "It's nice to do something, to help the team, because we've been struggling.

"I've played a lot of ball here, but it's probably only my fourth home run I've ever hit here."

Southeast had 13 hits, Kinsolving leading the way with three. Bonilla and Hoehner both added two.

SIU finished with 16 hits, leadoff man Steve Ruggeri getting four. He also scored four runs. Joe Schley had the Salukis' other homer.

Freshman Brandon Smith, the first of four Southeast pitchers, took, the loss. He allowed seven hits and four earned runs in four innings.

Luke Nelson, SIU's second hurler, got the win.

The Indians will return to Ohio Valley Conference action this weekend when Tennessee-Martin visits for a three-game series.