STRANGE K SPARKS INDIANS TO SPLIT

MURRAY, Ky. -- Seldom does a bases-empty, two-out strikeout spark a rally, but on Saturday Southeast Missouri used the strange catalyst to salvage a doubleheader split with Murray State.

Southeast, whose hopes to win the OVC regular season championship were dealt a blow with a 9-3 loss in the opener, used a six-run, two-out rally in the fifth inning of the nightcap for an 8-4 victory.

Southeast, 13-6 in the OVC and 24-23 overall, entered the day in a virtual tie for first in the OVC. Eastern Illinois moved into first place as it improved to 16-7 in the OVC with a sweep of Tennessee-Martin.

However, the Indians bolstered their bid to host the OVC tournament as Austin Peay dropped both games of a doubleheader with Morehead State. The conference tournament is hosted by the highest finishing team with lights. Eastern Illinois does not have lights and Southeast and Austin Peay are waging the battle for tournament rights. The second-place Indians are now two games ahead of Austin Peay (11-8) in the standings with four games remaining.

Saturday could have been far worse for the Indians, who took a six-game OVC win streak to Murray.

The Indians surprisingly saw left-handed ace Ryan Spille (10-2) suffer just his second loss of the season in the opener.

"You have to give the guys credit," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "We were beat in the first game with our ace Spille. It's not too often we go in the second game with a loss."

The situation turned darker as Murray led the nightcap 4-2 in the fifth inning with starter Todd Foxx throttling the Indian lineup.

But the momentum made a U-turn as a Kyle Yount two-out strikeout ultimately led to a Phil Warren grand slam.

Southeast had just two hits off Foxx when Yount swung at a wild pitch in the fifth inning. Murray catcher Nathan Taylor retrieved the ball and bounced a throw to first as Yount reached safely. Jeremy Johnson followed by placing a single to right just out of the reach of the second baseman. Darin Kinsolving, who had accounted for Southeast's only runs with a two-run homer in the third inning, followed with a walk to load the bases.

The harmless inning then blew up in the face of the Racers as Warren blasted a Foxx delivery well over the fence for a 6-4 lead. The Indians went on to add two more runs on a Kevin Meyer RBI single and a Racer error. A total of 10 Indians batted in the inning.

The six runs made a winner of starter Dan Huesgen (7-4). The junior right-hander saw his string of consecutive scoreless innings snap at 21 when he allowed two runs in the first inning.

Southeast tied the game in the third on Kinsolving's team-leading 12th home run. The runs were a stiff penalty for a two-out error as the Racers, on the previous batter, dropped a Johnson flyball in centerfield.

Murray State (27-21, 10-10 OVC) reclaimed its two-run lead in the bottom of inning.

Southeast finished with eight hits by eight different players. Huesgen allowed eight hits, struck out four and walked two.

In the opener, Murray State used a six-run inning of its own to shake Southeast. With the score tied 3-3 in the sixth inning, the Racers broke through against Spille, who walked the bases loaded.

A one-out, RBI single by Taylor chased Spille. Lanson Debrock relieved and obtained the second out but then gave up a two-run single to Chris Johnson for a 6-3 Racer lead. Murray added another two-run single and a bases-loaded walk for an insurmountable 9-3 lead.

Southeast had scored single runs in each of the first three innings while Murray had tied the score 3-3 with a run in the second and two in the third.

Spille, the 1998 OVC Pitcher of the Year, allowed eight hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.

Freshman Aaron Russelburg (3-4) allowed six Indian hits in six innings. He walked four and struck out one.

Jeremy Johnson, who entered the weekend with an OVC leading .423 batting average, went 2-for-4 to lead Southeast.

Chris Hamm went 3-for-4 for Murray with three RBIs.

The two teams conclude their three-game series today at 1 p.m. Staff ace Greg Harvey will start for Murray State while Chad Bogenpohl will pitch for Southeast.

"We'll have our hands full but hopefully Bogey will give us a good start," said Hogan.