Win over Salukis boosts Indians to .500

It was a long climb, but Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team is back at .500.

The Indians have run uphill since starting the season with five straight losses against nationally ranked Oklahoma and Wichita State.

But Wednesday afternoon's 8-2 victory over Southern Illinois at Capaha Field pushed the Indians' record to 11-11 as they won for the fourth time in their last five games. SIU (15-9) has lost five straight meetings against Southeast.

"It seems like it's taken forever to get back to .500," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We've put together some wins now and things are starting to click. I'm really proud of the guys."

Southeast banged out 10 hits, led by third baseman Denver Stuckey's 4-for-5 game. Stuckey, who had three hits in an 8-5 win Tuesday at Missouri, has 15 hits in his last 25 at-bats to raise his average to .356. He has an eight-game hitting streak.

"I'm getting good pitches and hitting the ball hard," Stuckey said. "Hopefully I can keep it going."

More importantly, said Stuckey, is that the Indians keep it going.

"It was a long road back to .500, but we're not satisfied," he said. "Our confidence is really good now."

Vern Hatton added two hits for the Indians, including his Ohio Valley Conference-leading fifth triple of the season. Hatton scored three runs and drove in two. Tristen McDonald added two RBIs.

Andy Sheridan (2-0) bounced back from a dismal performance to earn the victory. After being relieved Sunday against conference rival Murray State without retiring a better in the first inning, Sheridan pitche 5 2/3 strong innings Wednesday.

Sheridan, a left-hander who had pitched six shutout innings against Saint Louis last week before the Murray game, gave up five hits and two runs, with four strikeouts and two walks. After a rocky start again as he allowed a run on two walks and a double in the first inning, Sheridan settled down and at one point retired 16 of 17 batters.

"It was good to see Andy bounce back like that," Hogan said.

Brad Purcell, Brandon Smith and Ryan Govek combined to blank the Salukis over the final 3 1/3 innings. Purcell and Smith are the Indians' top two starters who got some work in prior to this weekend's OVC series at Eastern Kentucky.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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