Southeast Missouri State baseball team suffers weekend sweep

Southeast Missouri State's season-long homestand hit a major speed bump over the weekend.

Credit a strong Illinois State squad for putting the Redhawks in a tailspin.

ISU capped off a three-game series sweep Sunday with a 14-4 romp at Capaha Field.

"They're hot right now," Southeast senior shortstop Kenton Parmley said. "We've got a young team. I guess we can use this as a learning experience. We have a lot of baseball ahead of us."

The Redbirds (7-3), who ran their winning streak to seven games, took Saturday's doubleheader 8-2 and 13-11 in 10 innings after rallying from an 11-2 deficit.

Southeast Missouri State second baseman Taylor Heon tags out Illinois State’s Ty Wiesemeyer on a steal attempt during the first inning Sunday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

"I was really happy with our whole, complete game today," said ISU coach Mark Kingston, whose club went 36-18 to set a school record for wins last year. "We swung the bats well."

Southeast (5-7), which was playing its ninth consecutive contest at Capaha Field, had won five of its first six games on the homestand.

"We're a work in progress," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "You've got to remember how many new players we have."

ISU capped off a dominant offensive weekend by outhitting Southeast 17-6 on Sunday, including the game's only two home runs. The Redbirds outhit the Redhawks 44-21 in the series.

"We ran into a buzz saw. I knew this team would be outstanding," Hogan said. "They're playing very well. They look like a regional type club. You have to tip your hat to them."

Southeast Missouri State starter Zach Smith delivers a pitch to an Illinois State batter during the first inning.

The Redhawks erased a 3-0 deficit with a four-run second inning that featured just one earned run. Southeast had two hits and capitalized on ISU's first two errors of the series during the inning. The Redbirds entered the day with only two errors in their first nine games.

But Southeast did not score again. ISU's bullpen shut down the Redhawks, which also was the case in Saturday's nightcap when the Redbirds rallied.

"We place a big emphasis on our bullpen," Kingston said.

Parmley said ISU's pitching was among the best he's seen during his four-year Southeast career.

"Their pitching was unbelievable this weekend," Parmley said. "Everybody had a good fastball and good offspeed."

ABOVE: Southeast Missouri State third baseman Trenton Moses throws to first base to retire an Illinois State hitter during the first inning Sunday at Capaha Field. TOP: Southeast Missouri State coach Mark Hogan debates an umpire’s call during the first inning. (Fred Lynch)

Junior third baseman Zac Johnson drilled a three-run homer in the third inning to put the Redbirds back on top 6-4. They never looked back.

It was 7-4 when ISU scored seven runs in the sixth inning. The frame featured two walks, two hit batters and just three hits.

Two of the hits were crushing blows, a three-run double by sophomore catcher Mike Hollenbeck and a mammoth two-run homer to right by junior left fielder Eric Aguilera.

"We created a lot with the walks and hit batsmen," said Hogan, whose new-look pitching staff has been plagued by control problems. "They don't need any help with the kind of hitters they have."

Redshirt freshman utility player Andy Lennington, who started at first base Sunday, was Southeast's only player with more than one hit.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan discusses the umpire’s call during the first inning with Illinois State Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

Lennington went 2 for 5, raising his average to .378 -- third-best on the team. He is second on the squad with 12 RBIs.

Parmley had a double in the first inning, extending his hitting streak to 19 games dating back to last season.

Parmley, second on the Redhawks with a .388 average, has reached base safely in 28 consecutive games. All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses had a hit and extended his streak of reaching base safely to 33 games.

Moses leads Southeast with a .429 average and 15 RBIs.

ISU senior right fielder Ty Wiesemeyer had three hits Sunday, giving him nine in the series. He had six RBIs during Saturday's nightcap.

Aguilera had seven hits in the series, including two homers and six RBIs.

"They hit the ball all weekend," Parmley said.

Junior college transfer left-hander Zack Smith (1-2) suffered the loss. He allowed seven runs -- five earned -- and nine hits in four innings. He struck out three and walked one.

True freshman Cody Spanberger, who allowed his first earned runs of the season, endured ISU's big sixth inning. He was touched for seven runs and four hits in two innings. He struck out one, walked three and hit two batters.

The highlight on the mound for Southeast was juco transfer lefty Ryan Kendall, who fired 3 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed four hits and struck out three without issuing a walk.

"He was really good, very effective," Hogan said.

Southeast will conclude its 10-game homestand Tuesday when Saint Louis University visits for a 4 p.m. first pitch.