Southeast Missouri State baseball team loses at Troy

Southeast Missouri State's pitching has been stellar during the first two contests of a three-game road set.

But Troy's hurlers also have been exceptional.

The Trojans clinched the series even before today's 1 p.m. finale in Troy, Ala.

The Redhawks plated just an unearned run while losing 9-0 on Friday and 2-1 in 10 innings Saturday. Troy only has two earned runs in the series.

Troy and Southeast were scoreless through six innings Friday before the Trojans broke loose thanks to eight unearned runs.

"The pitching has totally dominated this weekend for both clubs," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We just haven't done much down here offensively. They haven't either."

Southeast fell to 7-4 as the Redhawks suffered their first series loss of the season after winning their first three series. Troy improved to 8-2.

"It's a good ballclub we're facing," Hogan said.

Senior pitchers Jon Dicus and Logan Mahon did their best to aid Southeast's effort at a bounceback victory Saturday.

Dicus worked the first 5 2/3 innings, allowing an unearned run and six hits. He struck out five and walked none.

Mahon, a left-hander, fired 3 1/3 shutout innings to keep things tied at 1-1 through nine innings before Troy won in the 10th.

"They both threw great," Hogan said.

Josh McDorman led off Troy's 10th with a double. After a strikeout and an intentional walk, Tyson Workman delivered an RBI single to end things.

Mahon (1-2) gave up three hits while striking out four and walking two.

Southeast had eight hits, led by junior third baseman Trenton Moses with two.

The Redhawks' only run came in the fifth inning to tie the contest after Troy had gone ahead with an unearned run on a passed ball in the third inning.

Senior second baseman Taylor Heon singled, advanced to second on an error and scored on senior shortstop Kenton Parmley's two-out single.

Troy starter Drew Hull allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out nine in eight innings.

Workman (2-0) notched the victory with two shutout innings. He struck out two and gave up one hit.

"It was a great ballgame," said Hogan, whose squad had no errors after committing four Friday. "It's a big win for them and a tough loss for us."

Friday's series opener saw Tyler Ray, one of the Sun Belt Conference's premier pitchers, dominate Southeast.

Ray (3-0) went all nine innings, allowing four hits, striking out six and walking one while throwing 114 pitches. It was the 18th career victory for the junior.

The Redhawks had two runners on base in just one inning against Ray and never got a runner to third base.

"He did a fabulous job," Hogan said.

Southeast senior left-hander Jordan Underwood also was impressive, allowing just two hits in six shutout innings. He struck two and walked four.

"Jordan looked incredible," Hogan said. "It was a great performance."

Troy broke up the scoreless duel with two seventh-inning runs. Standout sophomore closer Shae Simmons (0-1) took the loss. He allowed two hits and a walk.

The Trojans got their only earned run in the seventh. Adam Bryant delivered an RBI single for the game's first tally.

Troy took advantage of two Southeast errors and also had five hits to break open things with seven eighth-inning runs off senior Kirk Boeller.

Senior right fielder Louie Haseltine had two of Southeast's four hits.

Noteworthy

Southeast, ravaged by injury last season, already has been hit fairly hard this year. Three players have gone down in the past week.

Moses had to leave Saturday's game after injuring an ankle when he awkwardly landed on first base while beating out an infield single in the ninth inning.

Senior third baseman/outfielder Nick Harris (knee) and senior catcher Ky Burgess (ankle) currently are sidelined. They are expected to return in the next few weeks.