TRIBE PROLONGS TROJANS' FREEFALL

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball losing streak paled in comparison to that of Arkansas-Little Rock's, but the Indians still needed a victory pretty bad.

After losing all three games of a critical Ohio Valley Conference series at Middle Tennessee State over the weekend, the Indians bounced back with a 10-7 non-league win over Arkansas-Little Rock at Capaha Field Tuesday afternoon.

The Indians improved to 19-25 overall as they snapped their three-game losing streak. They'll host the University of Missouri at 7 tonight.

UALR, meanwhile, fell to 4-40 as the Trojans lost their 19th straight game.

"We needed a game like this," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "We've been in a pressure cooker since we started 3-6 in the league."

Even though the Indians won relatively handily, the Trojans -- who came into the game with a team batting average of .220 and a team earned-run average of 9.24 -- didn't exactly roll over.

"Last year they played us a good game down there (Southeast winning 11-5) and when you make up the schedule, you never know a team will be 4-39," Hogan said. "They're definitely better than that."

The Indians, who had 12 hits, were once again led by LaMonte Collier, who went 3-for-5 as he improved on his OVC-leading .432 average to start the day. Collier also scored twice and drove in two runs.

"LaMonte is having a fantastic season," said Hogan.

Mike Miller, second to Collier on the squad with a .364 average, added two hits -- including a solo home run -- and two RBIs. Steve Goodman and Scott Sullivan also both had two hits and two RBIs while Brad Hoehner added two hits.

Justin Buck (1-2) was the winner. He allowed three hits and four runs over the first five innings.

Talley Haines earned his third save by allowing three hits and three runs -- all of them unearned -- over the final four frames.

"I thought both those guys threw well," said Hogan.

UALR got two hits and two RBIs from Kip McBride. Lee Drewett belted a two-run homer.

The Trojans took their only lead of the day with a two-run second, but Southeast answered with four in the bottom half.

It was 4-4 when the Indians broke the game open by scoring four in the fifth and two in the sixth. The Trojans got three unearned runs in the ninth and had the tying run at the plate when the game ended.

INDIAN NOTES: Tonight's game against Missouri will be sponsored by River Eagle Distributing as part of `Bud Night.'

Prizes -- including hats, posters, coolers and Budweiser seat cushions -- will be given away throughout the evening. In addition, River Eagle Distributing will host a tailgate party for the Southeast Booster Club.