Southpaw sweep

A pair of left-handed pitchers who had been struggling in limited action -- along with some hitters who had been slumping -- helped Southeast Missouri State University get back on the winning track Wednesday afternoon.

Derek Herbig turned in a brilliant performance and Stan Skakalski was also solid as the Indians swept a doubleheader from visiting Central Michigan, prevailing 7-5 in a seven-inning opener and 7-2 in a nine-inning nightcap.

The Indians broke a three-game losing streak and improved to 6-8. The Chippewas fell to 4-9.

"We needed this," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

Herbig, a junior college transfer, entered the day with a 16.88 earned-run average in just 2 2/3 innings. His problems were largely attributed to seven walks.

But Herbig (1-0) was on the money in Wednesday's second game. He struck out 13 and walked three in seven innings, allowing six hits and two runs.

"It felt really good, especially since my parents were here," said Herbig, who is from Kansas. "I hadn't thrown in a couple of weeks and I could have gotten down, but I knew my chance would come and I was ready for it.

"Earlier I had been having trouble getting my curve over but today it was working well."

Skakalski, a senior who had a solid season for the Indians last year, came into Wednesday's action with a 9.35 ERA in just 8 2/3 innings. He carried a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning of the opener and wound up with a seven-hitter over six innings, allowing four runs. He struck out five and walked three.

"I started out strong, then ran into some trouble, but they're a good hitting team," said Skakalski (1-0). "It was nice to help the team. We needed some wins."

Said Hogan: "They gave us fabulous performances and we needed it, especially with this weekend's big series against Southwest Missouri. We couldn't afford to use much pitching."

Anthony Maupin gave the Indians 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the finale while Brad Smith earned his first save by allowing one run in the final inning of the opener. Smith, who is 3-0, also got the last out of the second game.

Offensively, the previously struggling Indians had 20 hits in the two games, led by Frankie Montiel (4-for-7), Freddy Lopez (4-for-7) and Bryan Kurt (3-for-7) -- all juco transfers.

Lopez, who missed the early part of the season after having knee surgery, had been just 3-for-18 (.167) but he exploded with a pair of long home runs in the nightcap for his first homers for the Indians. He drove in three runs.

"I'm starting to feel comfortable, and today was the first day my knee really felt good," said Lopez, whose average is now at .280.

Ernie Bracamonte also had his first Southeast homer, in the second game. Brady Noll belted a mammoth shot over the scoreboard in the second game for his second homer of the year. Both players, also juco transfers, had been struggling at the plate. Bracamonte drove in three runs on the day.

Montiel continued his recent torrid hitting, raising his average to .394. Kurt also continues to climb; he's now at .379.

"We got our offense going. Hitting makes all the difference," Hogan said. "And we saw what Freddy Lopez is capable of when his knee is not bothering him."

The Chippewas finished the day with 14 hits. Brian Lautzenheiser homered in the opener.