Southeast Missouri State product Justin Christian is back in the major leagues.

Christian has been recalled by the New York Yankees from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Johnny Damon was placed on the disabled list.

Christian originally was called up by the Yankees on June 24, but was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre seven days later.

Christian had a strong major league debut the same night he was promoted to the Yankees, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in as the starting left fielder against the Pirates.

The 28-year-old Christian started three more games after that, getting one hit in 11 at-bats. His average was .200 (3-for-15) before being sent down.

Christian, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's leading hitter, last week was named to the International League All-Star team.

Christian played just one season at Southeast, in 2003, after transferring from Auburn. He earned All-American honors for Southeast as a second baseman, but is now an outfielder.

After going undrafted following his collegiate career, Christian began playing in the independent Frontier League before being picked up by the Yankees organization in 2004.

Pickering joins soccer staff

Southeast women's soccer coach Heather Nelson announced Monday that Lindsay Pickering will join the program as an assistant for the 2008 season.

Pickering, the career shutouts leader at Southeast, primarily will work with goalkeepers while handling administrative responsibilities including travel arrangements, recruiting and academic progress.

Pickering completed her eligibility at Southeast in 2007 with her second Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the year award, the other coming in 2005.

She ranks first among Southeast goalkeepers in every career category.

Pickering joins Nelson and Nelson's husband, associate head coach Paul Nelson, as part of a coaching staff that will try to lead the Redhawks to their third consecutive OVC tournament championship and NCAA tournament appearance.

— From staff reports