SOUTHEAST BATS SHOW LIFE IN 11-4 WIN OVER IOWA ST.

When Southeast Missouri State's baseball team got a bat on the ball, it really got a bat on the ball.

The Indians clubbed two home runs, four doubles and 12 hits overall in a 11-4 victory over Iowa State of the Big 12 at Capaha Field Saturday.

For all of the hitting, Southeast baseball coach Mark Hogan was pleased to see his team's offense catch up with its splendid defense and pitching.

But while the Indians were spraying the ball around the field, they were also fanning their way back to the dugout.

The Indians' batters struck out 13 times.

"Thirteen strikeouts and nine left on base that's what can make a coach's hair gray or make him go bald or whatever," said Hogan. "I sure would like to see us put the ball in play more. But that's easy for me to say.

"I thought everybody looked more relaxed today. We showed signs today on offense of getting on track."

Other than the strikeouts, Hogan had little to complain about as Southeast (3-2) never trailed in the game, went above the .500 mark for the first time this year and won its third straight game.

Hogan got great pitching from Tommy Thomas and Todd Pennington, who together allowed just three earned runs on the day.

Thomas got the win, going 3 1/3 innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks. He struck out three.

Pennington was stellar in finishing the game in relief of Thomas.

"The story of the day was Pennington," said Hogan. "He was tremendous. Todd came in and settled their offense down."

Pennington allowed one run on four hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings. Pennington walked five.

Southeast's offense definitely got off to a good start as Kevin Meyer -- who normally bats second -- led off the game with a home run well over the right-field wall. Meyer finished with two hits.

Clemente Bonilla, who also had two hits, followed with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Phil Warren.

The big blow of the game came in the third inning when Southeast catcher Jeff Bourbon rifled a three-run shot to left to give the Indians a 6-1 lead.

"That was a big swing for us," Hogan said of the homer that capped a four-run inning.

Bourbon had a great day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and four runs batted in.

Zach Borowiak also had a good day at the plate. The freshman shortstop and the team's leader in hits, went 3-for-5 with a run scored. He also stole a base.

Southeast tacked on another run in the fourth and the fifth before scoring three more in the sixth.

The key hit in the sixth was a 2-run double by Phil Warren.

Iowa State used five pitchers in the game and only the last two were effective.

The Indians tagged starting pitcher Mike Laesch for six hits and six runs -- only two of which were earned -- in just three innings.

The Cyclones (3-5) got an unearned run in the third. In the fourth, Pennington allowed two runs, one of which was balked home. Iowa State tacked on another run in the eighth on a fielder's choice.

* Southeast's Jeremy Johnson went 1-for-5 on the day and is one hit shy of tying the school's career record for hits. Kyle Yount set the record last year.

* The Indians were supposed to play a doubleheader Saturday but due to the weather pushed the game back and played just one. The two teams will play a twinbill today with the first game to get underway at noon.