Southeast Missouri State baseball team grabs split in tough-fought twin bill

Southeast Missouri State and Jacksonville State waged a doubleheader befitting what are regarded as the Ohio Valley Conference's top two baseball teams.

Games don't get much more exciting or closely contested than the pair that took place Friday at Capaha Field.

The Redhawks captured a homer-filled opener 9-8, and the Gamecocks won 5-2 in the seven-inning nightcap that was a one-run affair until the final frame. That loss broke Southeast's eight-game winning streak.

"Two great games," said junior third baseman Trenton Moses, who had two of Southeast's three home runs on the windy day while JSU belted six homers. "It's a shame somebody had to lose, but that's baseball.

"They've got a good ballclub, similar to us in a lot of ways. It was a pretty even matchup all day."

Southeast Missouri State closing pitcher Logan Mahon delivers during Friday's first game.

The squads did not get a chance to decide a series winner because Saturday's scheduled game was rained out.

Southeast, picked second in the OVC preseason poll, is 24-15 overall and 8-5 in OVC play. JSU, the preseason favorite, is 25-14 and 8-6.

The Redhawks entered play tied for first in the OVC with Austin Peay but fell percentage points behind the Governors, who are 7-4 in league play and did not have an OVC series this weekend.

Southeast had 18 hits Friday, including four doubles and a triple along with the three homers. The Redhawks did not commit an error.

JSU finished with 17 hits, getting three doubles in addition to the six home runs. It made two errors.

"A lot of times the games don't live up to the billing, but both teams played outstanding," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "Two excellent teams going at it."

Moses continued his hot hitting by going 4 for 5 with a homer in both contests, a double and five RBIs. He also drew two walks.

Moses, who homered twice in Southeast's previous contest, has a team-leading eight this season along with a team-high 39 RBIs. He entered Saturday tied for first in the OVC in RBIs, tied for second in homers and fourth with a .382 batting average.

"I'm seeing it well, just trying to get a good swing on the ball," said Moses, an Advance High School graduate.

Senior right fielder Nick Harris went 4 for 8 and had Southeast's other homer along with a double.

Senior first baseman Casey Jones and senior second baseman Tim Rupp both went 3 for 7.

Much of the offensive damage came in the wild, back-and-forth opener that saw the Gamecocks leave the park five times and the Redhawks twice. Each side had 11 hits.

Southeast led 7-4 after four innings only to see JSU tie it with a three-run fifth inning and go ahead 8-7 on a sixth-inning leadoff homer by freshman Coty Blanchard.

The Redhawks came right back in the bottom of the sixth. Rupp led off with a single and was forced out at second on a fielder's choice grounder by junior shortstop Kenton Parmley.

Harris drilled a two-run homer to left field -- the wind was blowing out to right -- on a 2-2 count.

"He [freshman reliever Casey Antley] kept throwing fastball, fastball," Harris said. "I knew it was coming and put a good swing on it."

Southeast's solid bullpen, which allowed just one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings after starter Jordan Underwood was knocked out, did the rest.

Senior left-hander Logan Mahon continued his brilliant season out of the bullpen by working the final 2 1/3 innings -- although not without incident.

Mahon struck out the first two batters in the ninth before issuing three straight walks to load the bases.

"It was a little frustrating after I got the two quick outs," Mahon said. "I was kicking myself in the butt. I was nibbling too much."

Junior Sam Eberle, who entered the series leading the OVC with 37 RBIs, had a chance to make Mahon pay for his wildness.

But Mahon struck out Eberle on three pitches for his sixth save of the year, which moves him alone into fourth place on the school single-season list.

"It was a relief," Mahon said after his scoreless, one-hit stint lowered his ERA to 2.10.

"They've got a great offense and he's working every pitch. He keeps doing the job," Hogan said about Mahon.

Freshman left-hander Christian Hull (1-0) recorded two outs and was credited with his first collegiate win. Junior lefty Ryan Prickett also retired two batters before Mahon took over.

Underwood, a senior lefty, allowed seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He could have suffered more damage but senior center fielder Blake Slattery from Central High School saved at least one run and potentially a big inning with his spectacular diving catch to end the fourth.

Both starting pitchers were strong in the nightcap that saw JSU lead all the way after scoring twice in the fourth inning.

Senior Jon Dicus (3-3) took the loss. He allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Sophomore Hunter Rivers (7-1) was the winner, giving up two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Junior closer Todd Hornsby notched his OVC-leading 11th save of the year with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

After getting out of a sixth-inning jam to preserve a 3-2 lead, Hornsby received some breathing room on Eberle's two-run seventh-inning homer off sophomore Shae Simmons from Scott City.