SIU has Indians' number again

Southern Illinois completed a rare season sweep of Southeast Missouri State University by posting a 9-6 victory Wednesday at Capaha Field.

The Salukis won both meetings against Southeast for the first time since 1999, which also is the last time SIU (12-22-1) beat the Indians (17-19) in Cape Girardeau. The Salukis had lost seven of eight games against Southeast prior to this season.

"I said it the last time we beat them in Carbondale. They've had our number for a long time," SIU coach Dan Callahan said. "We've just played a little better in both games this year."

A lot better defensively. Southeast gave up four unearned runs during an earlier 6-5 loss in Carbondale, and it allowed six unearned runs Wednesday, thanks to a pair of costly errors. The Indians have struggled defensively all year, their .945 fielding percentage ranking toward the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference.

"Our defense is really hurting us," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

Because of conference series on the weekends, both teams began the game using pitchers toward the bottom of their staffs and both starters wobbled, but SIU was able to capitalize on the Southeast miscues. The key was a six-run second inning -- only one run was earned -- that gave the Salukis the lead for good at 7-2.

Southeast started freshman Brent Lawson, normally an outfielder who had pitched only three innings prior to Wednesday. He suffered the loss. In 1 1/3 innings, Lawson (0-1) allowed four hits and five runs (one earned).

Matt Carter was charged with two runs (none earned) in 1/3 of an inning.

Ryan Forsyth was charged with no runs in 2 1/3 innings, then weekend starters Anthony Maupin (four innings, two runs) and Mike Fitch (one inning, no runs) finished up.

"We're not very good on the mound once we get past three or four guys," said Hogan, whose squad is without three key hurlers due to injuries.

Southeast outhit SIU 14-11, but the Salukis had no errors.

Ernie Bracamonte and Frankie Montiel led the Indians with three hits apiece, including a pair of doubles for each. Eric Horstman doubled and tripled.

For SIU, Kevin Koski went 4-for-4 and Nathan Emrick had the game's only homer, a two-run shot in the eighth that put SIU up 9-6 after Southeast had gotten within a run.

SIU starter Ryan Welch allowed eight hits and four runs in two innings, but the next five Salukis hurlers limited Southeast to six hits and two runs, including no hits and no runs over the final three innings.