SE scored five runs in the eighth inning to beat St. Louis

Things weren't looking all that good for Southeast Missouri State University's Indians through 7 1/2 innings Wednesday as they trailed St. Louis University 4-2 and had wasted golden scoring opportunities in the previous two frames.

But, said junior second baseman Bo Jenkins, "We always have to be confident we can come back."

That confidence was rewarded in the form of a five-run eighth inning as the Indians rallied for a 7-4 victory in front of more than 500 fans at Capaha Field.

Southeast improved to 4-5 and will carry a three-game winning streak into this weekend's three-game series at Alabama. SLU fell to 4-8.

"St. Louis played solid, but we just needed to bear down and get it done," said sophomore right fielder Aaron Fangman, whose first Southeast career home run leading off the eighth helped get the Indians' comeback started. "Hopefully this win can get us going."

Southeast coach Mark Hogan knows the jury is still out on his inexperienced team, which lost most of its top players from last season. But he likes the determination the Indians have shown so far. Another of their wins also came with a late comeback as they erased a 9-3, eighth-inning deficit at Arkansas State.

"We're a work in progress, but our club is showing mental toughness. I like the tenacity of the club, the way they hang in there," Hogan said. "Give St. Louis credit. Their kids really played hard. I know it's a tough loss for them, but it's a great win for us."

Fangman's leadoff home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning cut SLU's lead to 4-3. Despite having a solid freshman season last year as a starter, Fangman never homered.

"It's really exciting to get that first one," Fangman said.

Junior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte followed with a single, which marked the exit of Eric Rohr, the Billikens' second pitcher of the game. On came Dave Guntorius, who had been SLU's top starter to date.

Guntorius retired junior left fielder Eric Horstman -- the Indians' leading hitter -- on a fly ball, but junior center fielder Frankie Montiel tied the contest with a triple that was misjudged by SLU center fielder Kyle Wort as the line drive sailed over his head.

"Being a center fielder, I know that's the hardest ball to judge, when it's hit at you and you have to freeze for a second," Montiel said. "I knew I hit it hard and it's a good thing he misjudged it."

Guntorius appeared ready to preserve the tie when he retired junior Keith Wollis on a bouncer to first, but junior Bryan Kurt grounded a single through the shortstop hole as Montiel eased home with the go-ahead run. It was Kurt's only at-bat of the game as he entered the contest late.

"I was sitting on a fastball and I got one," Kurt said. "I just put it in play and it found a hole."

Jenkins then added some insurance with a two-run homer to right-center. It was Jenkins' team-high second round-tripper of the season and completed the eighth-inning outburst that featured five of the Indians' 11 hits on the day. Southeast's two homers in the frame matched its total from the season's first eight games.

"It was awesome to win that game," Jenkins said.

The Indians probably would not have had a shot at the comeback if not for the continued stellar relief work of junior right-hander Brad Smith, who missed all of last season with an injury.

Smith entered the contest in the top of the fifth with the Billikens ahead 4-2 and threatening for more as they had runners on first and third with one out. Smith escaped that jam and proceeded to finish the contest. In 4 2/3 innings, he allowed three hits and no walks while striking out four. He improved his record to 3-0 and has not allowed a run in 12 innings, giving up just five hits.

"I'm just glad we were able to pull it out," Smith said.

Said Hogan: "He's been tremendous for us. He just went in and completely shut them down. If he doesn't get out of that fifth inning, we probably don't win the game."

Montiel doubled twice in addition to his triple to lead the Indians' offense. He drove in two runs. Jenkins had two hits and three RBIs.

Southeast starter Mike Fitch, a junior right-hander, allowed six hits and all four SLU runs in three innings. Freshman right-hander Matt Carter provided 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief before Smith came on.

SLU starter Ryan Bird, a freshman right-hander, was tough on the Indians, allowing just five hits and two runs in six innings. Southeast was then able to rally against the Billikens' relief.

Eric Mueller homered for SLU, which got two hits each from Wort, Aaron Thompson and Scott Peden.