Tech rally costs Redhawks series sweep

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team had to settle for a good weekend instead of a great one.

Tennessee Tech's eight-run rally in the eighth inning made sure of that.

Southeast failed to post its second straight Ohio Valley Conference series home sweep Sunday as Tech won 12-8.

The Redhawks, suffering a rare home loss, still took the series after sweeping Saturday's doubleheader 11-9 and 4-3.

"It's our goal to win every series. We took care of that [Saturday]," junior right fielder Louie Haseltine said. "We just couldn't finish it off."

Southeast Missouri State catcher Jim Klocke prepares to tag out Tennessee Tech's Casanova Donaldson at home plate during the fourth inning Sunday at Capaha Field. Donaldson attempted to score from second on a single. (LAURA SIMON)

Southeast remained in first place in the nine-team OVC after capturing its third straight series to begin league play.

"If we keep winning series we'll be fine," senior catcher Jim Klocke said.

The Redhawks are 20-11 overall and 7-2 in OVC play as they had a six-game conference winning streak snapped. Southeast lost for just the third time in its past 17 contests.

Southeast also lost for just the third time in 20 home games this season. Sunday's matchup ended a stretch that had the Redhawks playing 17 of their past 20 games at home.

"If you'd have asked me three weeks ago, I'd have been more than happy to be 7-2 [in league play]," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "It's a good start for us."

Southeast Missouri State second baseman Tim Rupp fields a batted ball barehanded during the fourth inning Saturday at Capaha Field. Tennessee Tech's Casanova Donaldson was safe at first with an infield single. (LAURA SIMON)

Tech, after coming close in both ends of Saturday's twinbill, finally notched its first conference win of the season. The defending OVC tournament champion Eagles are 14-19 overall and 1-5 in league play.

"I really like Tech's club. Give them credit," Hogan said.

For most of Sunday's game, it looked like the Eagles would leave town still looking for their initial conference victory.

Then came the eighth-inning uprising as Tech erased a 7-3 deficit.

"We had a little hiccup there and it cost us. That's baseball," Klocke said.

Junior college transfer right-hander Jon Dicus, after pitching a scoreless seventh during his first inning of relief, ran into trouble in the eighth.

Dicus, who has struggled with his control this year, walked the first batter, allowed a single, recorded an out and then walked two more to force in a run and leave the bases loaded.

Hogan turned to juco transfer left fielder Michael Adamson, who has been a solid late-inning reliever.

The second pitch Adamson threw was hammered off the scoreboard in left field by Chad Hayes. The grand slam put the Eagles on top 8-7.

Tech wasn't done in the frame as A.J. Kirby-Jones hit a monster three-run homer to left off Adamson (1-2) with two outs, making it 11-7. Kirby-Jones leads the nation with 16 home runs.

"We set the table for them with some control problems, and they pushed right through," Hogan said.

Juco transfer left-hander Jordan Underwood was denied a win despite a strong start. He allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Underwood, at 3-3, is Southeast's only conference starter without a winning record even though he has the top ERA among that trio at 4.46.

"He threw great. He deserved a better fate," Hogan said. "He's kind of been our tough luck guy."

After Tech tacked on a run in the ninth to go up 12-7, the Redhawks threatened in the bottom of the inning. They scored once and had two runners on when the game ended.

"We'll flush this one out and get ready to go back at it," Haseltine said.

The Redhawks, who entered the day fourth nationally in team batting average, had 12 hits and are batting .357.

Adamson led Southeast with three hits and finished the series with five. He doubled and tripled Sunday. Adamson's 17 doubles lead the OVC and he is batting .421.

Klocke had two hits and three RBIs to finish the series with six hits and six RBIs. He has a 19-game hitting streak, the longest by an OVC player this season, and is batting .375.

Haseltine delivered two hits and four RBIs, giving him six hits and seven RBIs over the weekend.

Haseltine also continued his home-run splurge. He homered again Sunday after leaving the park in each game Saturday.

Haseltine has homered in four straight games and 11 of the past 13 contests. He is tied for third in the OVC and entered the day fourth nationally with 13 home runs.

Juco transfer third baseman Casey Jones, despite having just one hit Sunday, continues to lead the OVC with a .447 average. He came into the day seventh nationally.

Juco transfer Ky Burgess got his first Southeast homer.

Hayes, a sophomore shortstop, had a huge day for Tech with six RBIs.

"We had one bad inning and it cost us, but overall we played really well this weekend," Hogan said.

The Redhawks will play 10 of their next 11 games are on the road.

The Redhawks have a nonconference game Wednesday at Arkansas State before resuming OVC play Saturday at Tennessee-Martin.

"Obviously it's fun to play in front of friends and family, but I think this team can play anywhere," Klocke said.