SEMO SPORTS: INDIAN BASEBALL TEAM FALLS TO MEMPHIS 7-5

MEMPHIS -- Despite getting off to an impressive start, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team fell to 0-2 here Sunday as host Memphis rallied for a 7-5 victory.

The Indians began the game as Lance Craft and Steve Goodman -- the first two batters in the order -- belted consecutive solo home runs.

Southeast later increased its lead to 3-0 after two innings, but Memphis (2-0) used a six-run third to take control.

Craft had three of the Indians' eight hits. He also stole two bases and drove in two runs. Freshman Jeremy Johnson stole two bases and scored twice.

Starting pitcher David Michel suffered the loss. He allowed seven hits and six runs (four earned) in three innings. Michel struck out four and walked one.

Talley Haines came on in relief and hurled five impressive innings, allowing just one hit and one run while fanning three and walking two.

Dave Erwin was the winner. He gave up five hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

The Indians will be back in action Saturday when they open their home schedule by facing Bradley in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Track athletes fare well at SIU meet

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Although no team scores were kept, Southeast Missouri State track athletes performed well here Saturday as they tuned up for this weekend's Ohio Valley Conference Championships in Charleston, Ill.

On the women's side, Southeast received first-place performances from Shannon O'Dell in the 55-meter hurdles (8.29 seconds), Heather Denihan in the long jump (19-6), Yvonne Hente in the 400-meters (56.10), Tammy Wenkel in the 800-meters (2:14.86) and Shanna Birge in the 200-meters (25.31).

O'Dell was also second in the 200-meters while Denise Ford finished second in the shot put.

Other top-five finishers for the Otahkians were Gray C. Harris (third, triple jump), Birge (third, 55-meters), Heather Fisher (third, high jump), Jennifer Phillips (fourth, shot put), Leslie McNamara (fourth, 3,000-meters) and Kim Stewart (fourth, 200-meters).

Southeast's men got a winning performances from Dewayne Johnson in the 200-meters (22.42).

Placing second for the Indians were Chris Prescott in the pole vault and Darrick Brown in the 200-meters while finishing third were Chris Moore in the pole vault and Brown in the 55-meters.

Other top-five finishers for the Indians were Jim Rhea (fourth, shot put), Tye DeCramer (fourth, 1,000-meters, fifth, mile), Ryan Steck (fourth, 55-meters), Erin Roades (fourth, 5,000-meters) and Neil Birchlee (fifth, 200-meters).