SOUTHEAST BEGINS REGIONAL TESTS WITH MISSOURI

Regional bragging rights will be on the line for Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team over the next two days.

It all starts tonight when the University of Missouri pays a visit to Capaha Field for a 6 o'clock first pitch. Then Wednesday, the Indians travel to Carbondale, Ill., for a 3 p.m. contest with Southern Illinois.

"They will be big non-conference games for us," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "Any time you play a regional type school, it's always very interesting. These are both pretty good rivalries, and for recruiting purposes, obviously the kids around the region are going to take notice on who's doing what."

The Indians, who are 4-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play, have a 19-9 overall record as they have won eight of their last nine games.

Missouri, 19-11 overall, is 7-8 in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers have recorded some impressive league victories, including one over Baylor and two over Nebraska, both nationally ranked squads.

"Missouri has been playing well," Hogan said. "They have had some really big wins in the Big 12."

The Tigers, who bat .279 as a team, are led offensively by freshman Lee Laskowski (.393), Jon Williams (.327) and Mick Weiss (.322). Williams leads the way in home runs with five and runs batted in with 30 while Ryan Stegall also has five homers.

In the pitching department, the Tigers have a respectable 4.06 ERA.

Southeast hurlers have a sensational 3.29 ERA, tops in the OVC, while the Indians bat .292 as a group, led by Clemente Bonilla, whose .444 average leads the conference.

Also hitting above .300 for the Indians are Zach Borowiak (.368), Brice Nicholas (.355 in limited at-bats), Brad Beatty (.333) and Denver Stuckey (.301). Vern Hatton has a team-high four homers while Borowiak and Jeff Bourbon are tied for the team lead in RBIs with 23.

Bonilla, with 117 career walks, is just one way from passing former standout Jeremy Johnson as the school's all-time leader in that department.

As for SIU, the Salukis are 12-16 overall and 6-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Last year, the Indians went 2-0 against both the Tigers and Salukis.

* Former Advance High School standout Garrett Broshuis is a freshman pitcher on the Missouri squad but he has not yet seen any action and will likely redshirt.

* Tonight will be Kohlfeld Distributing Night at Capaha Field, with free refreshments served.