Elbow injury benches center fielder

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team received some bad news as it prepares for its first home action of the season today.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan said Thursday that senior center fielder Nick Harris is out for the year after suffering an elbow injury last weekend at Auburn.

Harris, a starter since his freshman season, injured his right (throwing) elbow during warmups before Saturday's second game at Auburn. He played the previous day's season opener.

"It's tremendously disappointing, everything he's done for us in his career here," Hogan said.

According to Hogan, more tests will be required to determine if Harris will need surgery. But tests have already revealed enough damage to the elbow that Harris must be shut down for the rest of this year.

Harris, a native of Alabaster, Ala., ranks high on many of Southeast's career records lists.

A member of the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team in 2007, Harris entered this season with a .281 career batting average, along with 24 home runs, 40 doubles, nine triples, 113 RBIs, 131 runs scored and 36 stolen bases.

"It's just terrible for Nick," Hogan said. "But it creates opportunities for other people."

Harris is eligible for a redshirt, meaning he could play one more season at Southeast next year if he elects to.

IPFW in town

Southeast and IPFW begin a three-game series with a 2 p.m. start at Capaha Field. The squads will also play Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.

The 1-2 Redhawks had Tuesday's scheduled home opener against NAIA Mid-Continent postponed until May 5 due to unplayable field conditions.

IPFW, located in Fort Wayne, Ind., is 0-3 after being swept in a three-game series at Tennessee-Martin last weekend. The Mastadons went 13-38 last season.