SE's DEBROCK IS 'DE MAN' ON 'DE MOUND'

Lanson Debrock took some lumps during his first three years pitching for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team.

But so far, Debrock's senior season has been something of a revenge tour for the right-hander from Notre Dame High School.

A combined 7-12 with a 5.92 earned-run average in his first three collegiate seasons, Debrock has turned those numbers around in a big way. Prior to Wednesday's game at St. Louis, he was 6-3 with a rock-solid 2.60 ERA as the Indians' No. 2 starter.

"This is definitely a lot more fun," said a smiling Debrock, who is tied for first in the Ohio Valley Conference in wins and ranks fourth in the league in ERA.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan said he's not surprised by the success Debrock is having this year. For one, Hogan believes Debrock has matured quite a bit physically.

But, perhaps more importantly, the experiences Debrock went through during his first three seasons have helped him prepare for just about anything.

"Lanson has pitched in many of our biggest games the last three years, and we probably threw him into some games that might not have been all that fair to him," Hogan said. "I mean, when he was just a freshman, he pitched against Wichita State, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, and he even beat Wichita State.

"I know how tough it was for Lanson to pitch against those kinds of teams, but I'm sure those experiences have made him better."

Added a laughing Hogan, "I knew, pitching against those powerhouse teams, he was either going to go crazy, or if he survived, he was really going to be mentally tough. And I think he is really mentally tough."

Debrock, looking back on some of his early pitching experiences at Southeast, said with a grin, "I guess pitching against those teams couldn't have hurt me. But I was disappointed in not being able to help the team as much as I felt I could."

Actually, Debrock was fairly solid as a freshman, compiling a decent 4.91 ERA. That figure ballooned to 7.30 as a sophomore. Then last year, Debrock got off to a solid start and was a regular in Southeast's rotation for much of the season before tailing off some. He finished his junior campaign with a 4-5 record and a 5.73 ERA.

"Lanson has had a solid career for us, but he's really pitching well this year," said Hogan. "He's taken his game to a new level and it's great to see because he's such a super young man."

Last Saturday, Debrock turned in perhaps the best performance of his college career when he pitched his first career shutout and Southeast's first individual shutout of the season during a key 2-0 OVC win over Middle Tennessee. Debrock retired the final 13 batters of the seven-inning game.

Asked if he is surprised by the success he's having this season, Debrock said, "I don't know if it's a surprise, but I'm glad to see it. I feel I was ready for it."

Of the difference in his pitching this year as opposed to the past few seasons, Debrock said, "I'm not as nervous. I'm concentrating on every pitch. And I have a lot more confidence."

Debrock gives considerable credit to Jeremy Tyson, Southeast's first-year pitching coach who has shown Debrock how to throw a slider.

"I didn't have a slider last year, but coach Tyson showed me how to throw it," Debrock said. "I think that's been a big difference because now the slider and fastball are my main pitches."

A former all-stater at Notre Dame, Debrock is understandably pleased with his personal accomplishments so far this season. But he's even more thrilled to be able to contribute to all the success the Indians are having.

Southeast, off to its best start at the Division I level, has already reached the 20-victory mark and the Indians are a solid second place in the OVC as they have their sights set on their first OVC regular-season championship.

"I'm just glad I can help the team out," he said. "I think we've got a really good team this year, with a great offense and defense and some really solid pitching. We want to win the OVC and make the NCAA Tournament and I think those are things we can definitely accomplish."