Sweep seals Indians' first OVC crown

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team left absolutely no doubt as it clinched the program's first Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title.

The Indians turned Saturday's showdown with second-place Eastern Illinois into a blowout, sweeping the doubleheader 9-2 and 7-1 in front of an announced crowd of 1,087 at Capaha Field.

Southeast improved to 28-15 overall and 14-3 in the OVC with its 11th win in 12 games.

Although there are still four league games remaining -- including today's 1 p.m. contest with Eastern Illinois that ends Southeast's home schedule -- nobody can catch the Indians, who lead the defending champion Panthers (19-22, 9-7) by 4 1/2 games.

"It's a wonderful feeling and a big relief for me," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad was second in the eight-team conference the past four seasons and won the OVC Tournament in 1998. "I've been dreaming about this for some time, and what a special club to do it with. I admire this group of guys more than anyone will know."

The opener was competitive for a while, the Indians leading 3-2 after four innings before they broke it open late. Southeast led 5-1 after two innings of the finale and coasted to the title, setting off a huge celebration on the field and a water shower for Hogan from his players.

"This is the best feeling I've had in college, and in my whole life almost. I can't really describe it," Southeast junior third baseman Denver Stuckey said. "And especially to beat Eastern Illinois, which was the class of the conference last year."

Said senior right-hander Brad Purcell, the first-game winning pitcher, "It's fantastic, overwhelming. It's a great bunch of guys to play with and I'm just speechless."

Added senior center fielder Vern Hatton, the Indians' leading hitter at .380 who tied the school single-season record for triples by getting his eighth in the opener, "It's a great feeling. Like coach Hogan said, we'll all be connected for life now."

Purcell (9-2) likely locked up the OVC Pitcher of the Year award as he fired a six-hitter in the opener, with six strikeouts and two walks. Purcell took over the conference lead in victories, only to be matched by fellow senior right-hander Brandon Smith (9-2), who hurled an eight-hitter in the finale, with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Southeast had 18 hits in the doubleheader -- including 12 in the first game -- led by senior second baseman Clemente Bonilla, who went 4-for-6 and scored five runs.

Hatton was 3-for-5 with four runs batted in, junior left fielder Brian Hopkins was 3-for-4 with five RBIs and Stuckey went 3-for-6.

Hopkins was the hitting star of the opener, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs. Junior catcher Tristen McDonald, who matched Hatton with two RBIs, also homered as he and Hopkins now share the team lead with six.

"Both my homers were with two strikes, but I got some good pitches to hit," said Hopkins, who leads the Indians in conference games with an average of better than .400. "I just think I've been more focused in OVC games."

Sophomore right fielder Brice Nicholas got his third homer of the season in the second game while Hatton and junior designated hitter Dave Lawson both had two RBIs.

Pete Pirman, who entered the doubleheader leading the OVC with a .405 batting average, had three of the Panthers' 14 hits.

mmishow@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 132