SOUTHEAST OPENS OVC TOURNEY IN TOP FORM

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- David Michel flashed his form of last season, Tom Breuer belted two home runs and Southeast Missouri State University played exemplary defense.

That combination added up to a resounding 9-1 opening-round victory over Morehead State Saturday morning during week one of the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament at Hand Park on the Austin Peay campus.

Southeast (25-21-1) advances to today's 1 p.m. contest against OVC regular-season champion Austin Peay, routed Tennessee-Martin 16-1 Saturday.

If the Indians win today, they will move into next weekend's final phase of the OVC tourney with an undefeated record. If they lose to Austin Peay, they'll play again at 5 p.m. today in an elimination contest, needing a victory to advance to next weekend.

The Indians, fourth in the OVC's regular season, left little doubt Saturday against fifth-place finisher Morehead (24-28). Southeast clicked in all phases of its game.

"We were very impressive," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "We had some games like this early in the season. And two of the games against Austin Peay earlier in the season, we played like this."

Michel, last year's OVC Pitcher of the Year who has had his rough moments this season, allowed just six hits in going the nine-inning distance. He struck out four and walked one in improving to 4-5.

"I like this park," said a smiling Michel, who earlier this season blanked Austin Peay 13-0 at Hand Park. "I probably pitched better here last time, but I had good control today. They hit the ball, which means you don't have to throw as many pitches."

Breuer, who Friday was the only Indian named to the all-OVC first team, helped Michel early with solo homers in the first and third innings. Both balls cleared the left-field fence.

"This is a good way to start off the tournament for us," Breuer said. "Everybody did it today."

Mike Miller went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs to spark the Indians' 12-hit attack. Steve Goodman, Jim Gerwitz and Lance Craft all joined Breuer in getting two hits.

"It's big to get a win like this," said Miller. "It's nice to not have to sweat through a one-run game. You don't play as tight."

The Indians did commit one error, but they also made several sparkling defensive plays. The best was a diving, over-the-shoulder catch of a pop fly in foul territory foul by first baseman Gerwitz. Center fielder Lamonte Collier also made a sliding catch of a line drive.

"When Michel is on, he certainly sets the tone for us," said Hogan. "He was sharp. We got good offensive production and played good defense."

Breuer left the park for the first time in the bottom of the opening inning and the Indians were off and running.

Southeast scored in the second on Miller's RBI single. Morehead answered with its lone tally in the third, but Breuer's second homer in the bottom of the third was part of a two-run inning that put the Tribe ahead 4-1.

Goodman and Craft had RBI hits in the sixth as the Indians went ahead 7-1. Miller's two-run single in the seventh rounded out the scoring.

"This is a great way to start the tournament," Hogan said. "David gave us nine innings. I was hoping he could maybe give us seven. We're in really good shape for Sunday."