SEMO BASEBALL SQUAD DOWNS MISSISSIPPI 1-0

OXFORD, Miss. -- Before Wednesday, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team had never beaten a Southeastern Conference squad.

But that statement no longer qualifies. The Indians parlayed exceptional pitching, strong defense and one timely offensive inning into a 1-0 victory over host Mississippi.

The Indians salvaged a split of the two-game series after dropping Tuesday's contest 6-4.

Southeast improved to 2-3 on the young season. The Indians had lost two of three games during a season-opening home series against Wichita State last weekend.

"This is really an important win for our program," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "This is a big confidence builder for us.

"I couldn't be more prouder of this group. What an outstanding college baseball game. I don't know if you can play much better than we did. It was an outstanding performance by our ballclub."

The Indians prevailed despite getting just two hits and being no-hit through six innings.

"It's a funny game," Hogan said. "Yesterday (Tuesday) we get 12 hits, have all kinds of chances and lose. Today we get two hits and win."

Southeast scored the game's lone run in the top of the seventh inning. Jeremy Johnson led off with a single for the Indians' first hit of the contest and he went to second on a passed ball. With one out, Jeff Bourbon singled to plate Johnson.

Both Southeast pitchers stood out. Starter Ryan Spille, a preseason and returning All-American, worked the first six innings and gained his second win of the season. Spille scattered seven hits while striking out six and issuing no walks.

Lanson Debrock earned a well-deserved save with three brilliant innings. The former Notre Dame High School standout allowed just one hit while fanning two and walking one.

"Both our pitchers were tremendous," said Hogan. "Ryan pitched a great game and Lanson came in to do a super job. I think he'll be the surprise of the league this year and I've told him that. He put the work in over the summer and it's showing. He was outstanding Sunday even though we lost."

Debrock had pitched five strong innings Sunday, allowing just one run in what turned out to be an 11-0 loss to Wichita State.

Debrock also came up with a key defensive play. The Rebels (4-5) put runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Justin Huisman then grounded a ball that Debrock barehanded and fired to catcher Dan Berry to retire the runner coming to the plate. Chad Mead then flied out.

Debrock finished with a flourish as he retired the side in the ninth, getting the last two batters on strikeouts.

Mead was the Rebels' hard-luck loser. He no-hit the Indians through six innings before giving up the one run in the seventh.

The Indians will return to action this weekend when they host Northern Iowa in a three-game series at Capaha Field. There will be a Saturday doubleheader at noon and a Sunday single game at 1 p.m.