Two giant steps

Southeast Missouri State continued to close in on an Ohio Valley Conference tournament berth -- but the Redhawks still have one final hurdle to clear.

The Redhawks swept a doubleheader from stubborn Tennessee-Martin Friday afternoon, 6-4 in the nine-inning opener and 4-2 in the seven-inning nightcap.

Southeast ends the three-game series -- and its regular season -- when the squads hook up at 1 p.m. today at Capaha Field.

A victory by the Redhawks in the nine-inning contest clinches a spot in the OVC tournament. But a loss could leave Southeast out of next week's six-team event in Paducah, Ky.

"This was really big today, but we've still got to get one more tomorrow," senior Freddy Lopez said.

Southeast took over sole possession of sixth place in the 10-team OVC. The only way the Redhawks would not qualify for the tournament if they lose today is if Samford sweeps a doubleheader from Murray State -- but Southeast certainly wants to leave nothing to chance.

"We knew coming into this series that we hold our own destiny," senior Ernie Bracamonte said. "If we win {today} we're in. We don't want to leave it up to anybody else."

Just a few weeks ago, it didn't look like the Redhawks would even have much of a chance at making the tournament, after having qualified for the postseason event every year since coach Mark Hogan took over the program in 1995.

But Southeast has gotten hot at the right time, winning seven of its last eight OVC games, including six straight. The Redhawks, 23-30 overall, are 14-12 in conference play, marking the first time they have been above .500 in the league this season.

"Considering where we were not too long ago, it would be a great accomplishment to get into the tournament," Hogan said. "We've done our part for day one, now hopefully we can finish it off."

UT-Martin (12-42, 6-19) had long been eliminated from contention for a spot in the conference tournament, but Hogan didn't expect the Skyhawks to simply roll over for Southeast.

The coach was right. UT-Martin hung tough in both games, stranding the tying runners in the final inning of the opener, and leading 2-0 through three innings of the nightcap.

"They didn't surprise me," said Hogan of the Skyhawks, who are tied for last place in the OVC. "They really played well, and their pitchers were good."

But the Redhawks' pitching was better -- they received two complete games -- and their defense was off the charts as Southeast committed just one error in the doubleheader and made at least a half-dozen highlight-reel plays.

The day began with a diving catch by senior center fielder Frankie Montiel on UT-Martin's leadoff batter in the top of the first inning. Sophomore right fielder Brent Lawson also left his feet to make a catch, while junior shortstop Jordan Payne and senior second baseman Bo Jenkins both made two plays on ground balls worthy of ESPN 'Web Gem' status.

"Our offense did just enough. We got some timely hits," said Hogan, whose squad had 10 hits in each game. "But today was all about our pitching and defense. Jenkins and Payne both made some unbelievable plays, and so did several other guys."

Freshman right-hander Joey Evans went the nine-inning distance in the opener for his fifth complete game of the season, as he continued to stamp himself as Southeast's top starter.

Evans, who was bothered by a bad back in his most recent outing, allowed six hits and three earned runs, with six strikeouts and two walks, as he improved to 8-4. He leads Southeast in wins and complete games.

"I felt good," Evans said. "It doesn't hurt to have about 10 ESPN plays behind me. The defense was unbelievable in both games."

After the Skyhawks scored a run in the ninth to pull within 6-4, they had men on second and third with one out. But Evans struck out Douglas Nicodemus, then Payne went deep into the hole to throw out Hideaki Sato.

Jamie McAlister went all seven innings of the nightcap, allowing seven hits while striking out four and walking one. He improved to 4-6 with his third complete game, second-most on the squad.

"Evans and McAlister were both tremendous," Hogan said.

Bracamonte, who had not played much since suffering a pulled hamstring May 7 against Morehead State, started at first base -- he had been Southeast's shortstop -- in both games and went 4-for-6 for his first hits since the injury.

"It felt good to contribute again," Bracamonte said. "It felt like it had been forever for me."

Lopez went 4-for-7 with two doubles, Montiel went 4-for-8 and Lawson drove in four runs as he doubled twice.

Also for Southeast, senior third baseman Eric Horstman doubled in each contest to increase his hitting streak to 23 games. He has also reached base safely in 45 consecutive games, which is believed to be the longest active streak in the nation.

Blake Turner and Nick Bruner both had three of the Skyhawks' 13 hits on the day.