SEMO BASEBALL LOSES TWO KEY GAMES

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- A blowout and a heartbreaker added up to a double defeat for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team here Saturday.

In a key Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader, host Middle Tennessee State romped in the opener 12-3 and then rallied for a 10-9 victory in the nightcap.

The Indians fell to 18-22 overall and 9-8 in OVC play as they dropped out of a second-place tie with MTSU. The Blue Raiders improved to 24-18 overall and 11-6 in league play. MTSU, because of Tennessee Tech's doubleheader loss to Eastern Illinois Saturday, closed to within one-half game of first place.

MTSU and Southeast will close out the three-game series with a 2 p.m. contest today.

Southeast, facing an uphill struggle all day Saturday, appeared on the verge of capturing a split. The Indians scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to grab a 9-8 lead. It was the first time they led all day.

But MTSU answered back with two in the bottom of the seventh to end the contest in stunning fashion. After pitcher Dan Huesgen retired the first batter, he allowed a walk and a double before Ryan Dillard's double over right-fielder Steve Goodman's head plated the tying and winning runs.

Huesgen (0-1), the fourth Southeast pitcher in the game, suffered the loss. Dave Siboda started and gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings. Talley Haines allowed three runs in one inning.

Jeremy Johnson, LaMonte Collier and Kyle Yount all had two of Southeast's 10 hits. The Indians trailed 5-1 and 8-4 before rallying, only to see the Raiders rally at the end.

The Indians' seventh-inning uprising that gave them a short-lived 9-8 lead started when Collier doubled and Mike Miller was hit by a pitch. Yount got a bunt single to load the bases. Darin Kinsolving grounded into a double play, a run scoring to tie the contest, then Lance Craft bunted and reached on an error, allowing the lead run to score.

In the opener, the Raiders hit three home runs in the first inning as they scored eight times and knocked out Southeast starter David Michel (4-6) after he retired only one batter. Michel allowed six hits.

Lanson DeBrock came on and hurled the final 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and four runs (three earned).

Collier and Scott Sullivan each had two of Southeast's eight hits.

MTSU banged out 16 hits in the opener and had 27 on the day, including five homers. Jon Case homered twice for the Raiders and had six RBIs.

Brad Howard (7-1) was MTSU's winning pitcher in the opener. He worked all seven innings.

Ken Bedwell (2-3), MTSU's third and final hurler in the nightcap, picked up the victory.