SOUTHEAST BASEBALL DROPS SEASON OPENER TO OLE MISS

OXFORD, Miss. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team lost a late lead Friday afternoon as the Indians dropped their season opener 7-4 to host Mississippi.

The Indians, after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, scored three in the seventh to go ahead 3-2.

But the Rebels erupted for five in the eighth to nail down the victory.

Southeast had six hits, two each by a pair of newcomers: junior-college transfer Steve Lowe and freshman Jeff Bourbon. Lowe drove in two runs.

Jason Huisman paced the Rebels' 12-hit attack with a grand-slam home run and five RBIs. The grand slam came in the big eighth inning. Michael Rosamond had three hits.

Indians' starter Jason Swearingen allowed eight hits and two runs in five innings.

Chad Bogenpohl suffered the loss, allowing two hits and two runs in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out five.

Dan Huesgen gave up three runs in just one-third of an inning.

Ryan Bukvich, the third Mississippi pitcher, got the win. He allowed one run in two innings. Starter Lance Tolbert hurled three-hit shutout ball over the first five innings.