Southeast finds a quick cure in South Dakota St.

Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan was probably wondering if his offense would ever wake up.

But the bats finally did get going in the late innings Monday and, coupled with a stellar starting pitching debut by a freshman with local ties, the Redhawks were able to break a three-game slide.

The Redhawks (4-7) scored six unanswered runs starting with the sixth inning as they posted a 7-2 victory over South Dakota State (1-5) on a cold, damp afternoon at Capaha Field.

"We finally got our hitting going, and I'm proud of the guys for that," said Hogan, whose Redhawks were coming off a three-game weekend sweep at the hands of visiting Bradley in which they scored just four runs. "It was the first time in four games we've had the lead."

Southeast's late offensive explosion -- the Redhawks had six of their 10 hits in the final three innings -- made it a winning starting debut for true freshman left-hander Casey Johnson.

Johnson, a product of Eureka High School in the St. Louis area, had pitched one inning in relief early in the season.

With Southeast strapped for starters after a busy weekend, Johnson was called upon Monday. He came through, allowing seven hits and two runs in six innings, with six strikeouts and one walk.

"I was real proud of Casey. He did a super job," Hogan said. "We used a lot of arms this weekend, and he really came through for us."

Both of Johnson's parents -- Randy and Rita -- were born and raised in Cape Girardeau, and Randy pitched collegiately for Southern Methodist University while also hurling for the Capahas.

"I felt great out there," Johnson said. "I had pretty much everything working today."

With a pitching staff that is expected to be deep and talented, Johnson doesn't know how much work he'll get during his rookie campaign, but he said he'll be ready when called upon.

"I'll just do whatever they want me to do," he said.

Southeast trailed 2-1 when Johnson departed after six innings. The Redhawks then finally took their first lead in four games in the bottom of the sixth. Pinch-hitter Brent Lawson led off with a walk, but he was still at first base with two outs.

Bo Jenkins singled and Eric Horstman walked to load the bases. Jordan Payne, a junior college transfer who got off to a hot start this season but had cooled off in recent games, then drilled a 3-2 pitch to left field for a two-run single.

Asked whether finally going ahead took some pressure off the Redhawks, a smiling Payne said, "It took pressure off me. But I hope this game gets us going. We've been struggling, but we've been sticking behind each other waiting for it to click."

South Dakota State starter Francisco Torres (0-2) was removed after six strong innings. Gary Olechoski worked a scoreless seventh, but the Redhawks were able to break things wide open against Tigh Surdez in the eighth by plating five runs on four hits.

Lawson had an RBI double in the eighth, Ernie Bracamonte and Frankie Montiel both had RBI singles, and Chris Gibson delivered a sacrifice fly.

Meanwhile, Southeast's bullpen was flawless after Johnson exited. Right-hander Jamie McAlister, a junior college transfer, had his second straight strong outing with two perfect innings, striking out three. All-American right-handed closer Brad Smith then worked a perfect ninth, with one strikeout.

Horstman went 3-for-3 to pace the offense. Jenkins was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, Bracamonte went 2-for-4, and Montiel joined Payne in getting two RBIs.

Tyson Fisher and Nick Adams both had two hits for the Jackrabbits, a first-year Division I program.

"They looked like a pretty solid ballclub to me," Hogan said. "It's a good win for us. We needed it."

Southeast plays the sixth leg of a seven-game homestand Wednesday when Southern Illinois (7-5) visits Capaha Field for a 3 p.m. first pitch.