Wheeler's grand slam powers Redhawks

~ The Redhawks scored six runs in the eighth inning to beat SIU-Edwardsville 9-5.

Southeast Missouri State's offense didn't exactly break out Friday night.

But the Redhawks' bats did enough to rally for a 9-5 win over visiting Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

A six-run eighth inning -- capped by senior left fielder Justin Wheeler's tie-breaking grand slam -- allowed Southeast to escape in the opener of a four-game series against future Ohio Valley Conference member SIUE.

"It's a big win for us," Wheeler said.

Starter James Leigh delivers Friday, April 17, 2009, at Capaha Field. (KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com)

Southeast improved to 20-14 by winning for just the second time in its past six games. First-year Division I program SIUE fell to 9-22 as the Cougars had their three-game winning streak snapped.

It wasn't easy for the Redhawks, whose potent offense had been limited to two runs or fewer in their previous four losses.

"I think we're in a little bit of a funk, but I also think we're facing some good pitching," Wheeler said.

SIUE freshman left-hander Dustin Quattrocchi looked plenty good in front of a big Capaha Field crowd on a picture-perfect night for baseball.

Quattrocchi, who entered the game with SIUE's top ERA at 3.45, dominated the Redhawks for seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out six and walking two.

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville runner Daniel Bennett slides into Southeast Missouri State second baseman Tony Spencer as he attempts to complete a double play Friday at Capaha Field. (KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com)

"You have to tip your cap to him, to hold us to three hits," Wheeler said.

Southeast scored three runs off Quattrocchi, but all were unearned in the second inning as the Cougars committed three errors. Quattrocchi didn't help himself with three balks.

"He threw a great ballgame," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "He neutralized a good offense and he got better as the game went along. We were lucky to get the three runs off him."

Needless to say, the Redhawks were happy when Quattrocchi was lifted after throwing 116 pitches. SIU led 5-3 when Quattrocchi's night was finished.

"When we saw him out, we got pretty happy," Wheeler said.

SIUE's bullpen imploded in the eighth inning, giving Southeast the opening it needed.

Blaise Haxel walked freshman shortstop Kenton Parmley and senior second baseman Tony Spencer on a combined eight pitches to start the frame.

Senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings ripped a two-run double that tied the contest.

"Tyrell came up with the big hit," Wheeler said. "It took some pressure off us."

Cummings was supposed to sacrifice, but he took two strikes, after which the bunt was called off.

"We had him up there bunting," Hogan said. "Go figure."

Brian Lorenz replaced Haxel on the mound and promptly wild-pitched Cummings to third.

Senior first baseman Matt Wagner walked and junior catcher Jim Klocke followed suit to load the bases with nobody out for Wheeler.

Lorenz threw a first-pitch ball to Wheeler, which gave the Southeast player a pretty good idea what was coming next.

"I knew he wouldn't want to fall behind 2-0 with the bases loaded," Wheeler said. "I was sitting on a fastball."

Wheeler deposited it over the left-field wall for his team-leading 10th home run of the season.

"It was a great inning," said Hogan, whose squad had just two hits in the frame, but capitalized on the wildness of SIUE's relievers. Southeast wound up with only five hits. "They gave us some help, but we still had to capitalize."

Junior college transfer John Salazar -- a teammate of Wheeler's at Golden West Community College in California two years ago -- made sure Southeast's rally would pay dividends.

Salazar (3-2) got the win by pitching the final four innings in shutout fashion. He allowed two hits while striking out four and walking none.

Salazar, second on the team in wins, also has a save as he has established himself among Southeast's top relievers.

"He was a key for us, to hold them down," Hogan said. "He's a bulldog and he's got a lot of poise."

The victory was marred by an injury to starting pitcher James Leigh, Southeast's ace.

Leigh, a senior left-hander, was drilled on the shin by a line drive in the fourth inning. Leigh pitched one more frame, but was on crutches following the game.

Hogan said that was a precautionary measure after Leigh's shin began to swell. The coach said he expects Leigh to be fine.

"We think he'll be OK," said Hogan, whose squad is second in the OVC with a 9-3 league record.

Leigh gave up six hits and five runs in five innings, with three strikeouts and two walks.

Brett Keeler had the big blow off Leigh, a two-out, three-run homer in the second inning that gave SIUE a 3-0 lead.

That blast put Southeast in an early hole and the Redhawks never led until their big eighth inning.

"Hopefully this win will jump-start us," Wheeler said. "We've been up and down."

The teams will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader today.