SE GOES OVER RIVER, THROUGH SALUKIS

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Beating Southern Illinois isn't at the top of the priority list for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team, since the Salukis aren't a conference opponent.

But for the Indians, it's still always nice to get the best of their rivals from across the river.

"Before the game, I heard Erik Sean (the Indians' radio announcer) talk about the (Southeast) football and basketball teams beating them and it kind of put the pressure on us," said senior catcher Jeff Bourbon with a smile. "It's always big to beat them, for recruiting and everything."

Wednesday afternoon, the Indians notched their third straight victory over the Salukis -- including two last season -- as they rolled 11-5 at Abe Martin Field.

Southeast, bouncing back from Tuesday night's home loss to Missouri, improved to 20-10 while SIU fell to 12-17.

"It's good to come out and get a win after last night," Bourbon said. "I don't think we played the way we're capable of either game, but it's always better to win."

Indians' coach Mark Hogan was also pleased to see the Indians not only defeat SIU but also rebound from their 7-2 setback at the hands of Missouri.

"It's always good to beat SIU, especially after last night," Hogan said.

The Indians had little trouble against a depleted SIU pitching staff that didn't really trot out any of its top arms.

Southeast banged out 15 hits -- including five doubles and a triple --and scored five runs in the first two innings to build a solid early lead.

"It was good to get the five runs early," said Hogan. "We're showing that we're a good extra base hitting team."

Zach Borowiak, a former standout at nearby Nashville (Ill.) High School, led the Indians offensively with three hits. Denver Stuckey, Vern Hatton, Tristen McDonald, Brad Beatty and Shane Allen all added two hits. Bourbon drove in three runs and Stuckey scored three times.

The Indians used five pitchers and they combined to strike out 13 while allowing 10 hits.

Starter Greg Lunski was especially sharp, giving up just two hits in four scoreless innings. He fanned four and walked two.

"Greg is a real valuable guy for us because he has a rubber arm," said Hogan. "He gave us four really solid innings."

Todd Pennington, the Indians' No. 1 starter who was given some work along with Southeast's other top hurlers, actually received credit for the victory by pitching a hitless fifth, with two strikeouts and one walk. Pennington improved to 5-1.

Brad Purcell and Tommy Thomas -- other starters in Southeast's weekend rotation for Ohio Valley Conference play -- combined to allow seven hits and five runs (the two runs Thomas gave up were unearned) in three innings as the Salukis made things semi-interesting.

Andy Davidson pitched a scoreless ninth, fanning three.

Josh Joiner, a true freshman out of Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School who was making his first collegiate start, took the loss, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned) in five innings.

The Indians led 6-0 after five innings. SIU broke through with three in the sixth, but Southeast took control again with a three-run seventh. After the Salukis plated two in the seventh, the Indians added single insurance tallies in the eighth and ninth.

Justin Maurath paced SIU's offense with three hits.

Southeast will get back into OVC play this weekend when Eastern Kentucky visits Capaha Field for a three-game series.