SOUTH ALABAMA, RAIN PROVE TOO STRONG FOR SOUTHEAST

MOBILE, Ala. -- Rain and nationally ranked South Alabama both got the better of Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team Sunday afternoon.

South Alabama, rated No. 23 in the nation, posted a 6-1 victory in a contest that was shortened to five innings by rain.

Southeast actually pushed across a run in the top of the sixth inning to pull within 6-2 and was still batting, but then heavy rains came and there was no apparent letup in sight, so the contest was called and reverted back to the final completed inning.

The Jaguars improved to 10-2 while the Indians fell to 5-4. South Alabama had beaten Southeast 2-1 on Saturday.

South Alabama received impressive pitching for the second straight day as Caleb Crosby (1-0) worked the full five innings, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out five.

Southeast starter Brad Purcell (0-1) suffered the loss. He gave up four hits and four runs (three earned) in 3 1/3 innings. Purcell fanned three and did not issue a walk.

Indian relief ace Jeffrey Hilz was touched for three hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Hilz allowed back-to-back home runs to Tim Merritt and Rick Gretz in the fifth inning as the Jaguars built on the 4-1 lead they carried into the frame.

Brice Nicholas had two of Southeast's five hits. Denver Stuckey, Clemente Bonilla and Zach Borowiak had the other hits while Borowiak drove in the Indians' lone run in the opening inning as they jumped out to an early lead.

Gretz had two of the Jaguars' seven hits.

The squads entered the fourth inning tied 1-1. The Jaguars broke loose for three runs, then padded their lead with a two-run fifth.

Southeast will return to action Wednesday, visiting Arkansas State.