SEMO SPLIT BRINGS OVC TOURNAMENT TO CAPAHA

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team didn't have a great day Saturday.

But thanks to plenty of outside help, it was more than good enough.

By splitting a doubleheader with visiting Tennessee Tech -- and by virtue of Middle Tennessee and Austin Peay losing doubleheaders -- the Indians clinched the host spot for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

But the Indians' work is far from over heading into today's regular-season finale against Tech, set for a 2 p.m. first pitch at Capaha Field.

If the Indians want to definitely assure itself the second seed for the OVC tourney -- and avoid having to play a first-round elimination game -- they need to win again today.

"It's nice to host the tournament again," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad also hosted last year's event -- and won it. "But there's a lot still on the table (today)."

Southeast lost Saturday's opener 2-0 but won the nightcap 10-4. So the Indians, 26-25 overall, are 14-8 in OVC play.

Eastern Illinois has wrapped up the OVC title, but only four squads in the nine-team league -- the ones with lights -- are eligible to host the OVC Tournament. The host spot goes to the highest finisher with lights.

The Indians entered Saturday battling Middle Tennessee and Austin Peay for the right to host the tournament. With Middle (13-10) and Austin Peay (12-10) both being swept, by Eastern Kentucky and Murray State, respectively, those squads can no longer catch the second-place Indians.

But Eastern Kentucky (14-9), which does not have lights, can still push into second place ahead of Southeast if the Colonels beat Middle today and the Indians lose to Tech.

Securing one of the top two seeds in the six-team league tourney is huge because the third, fourth, fifth and six seeds will be forced to play elimination games when the tournament begins Thursday. Meanwhile, the top two seeds earn first-round byes and advance directly to the semifinals, where double-elimination play begins.

"It's a huge difference between being the second seed and the third seed," said Hogan. "Eastern Kentucky has to win, but we have to assume they will. So we need to win."

Tech (17-35 overall, 6-15 OVC) entered Saturday in eighth place in the league and out of the running for a tournament berth. But Hogan figured the Eagles would give the Indians a battle -- and he was right.

Eagles' right-hander Casey Bough (7-6) won a brilliant pitcher's duel from Southeast lefty Ryan Spille (10-3) in the opener as both hurlers went the distance.

Bough allowed just four hits while striking out nine and walking five. Spille gave up six hits and one earned run. He fanned six and walked two.

"Bough was outstanding. He threw as well against us as anybody has all year," Hogan said. "Ryan threw an excellent game, too."

But the Indians would not be denied in the second game as right-hander Dan Huesgen (8-4) continued his recent brilliance by winning his sixth straight decision.

Huesgen allowed seven hits and one earned run in going the distance. He fanned three and walked two.

"I felt a little bit of pressure. It's always easier when Ryan wins the opener," said Huesgen. "It's nice to host the tournament, but we definitely have to win (today) to get the second seed."

The Indians grabbed a 6-0 lead after two innings and never looked back. They had 12 hits, led by Jeremy Johnson and Kyle Yount with three apiece. Jeff Bourbon homered and had two hits, as did Brad Hoehner. Bourbon and Yount each drove in two runs.

Bobby Morgan homered in the second game for Tech, which got two hits from Gabe Zook.

In the opener, Dan Berry had two of Southeast's four hits.

Chad Bogenpohl (4-2) will get the call on the mound for the Indians today.

"I expect a great game," said Hogan. "Tech has some excellent hitters and they compete hard. We know they won't roll over for us."