Indians sweep aside Governors

Big weekend keeps Tribe in first place in OVC.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

When it's going good, it's going good.

And it's certainly going good for Southeast Missouri State University baseball these days.

The Indians completed a three-game weekend sweep of Austin Peay by winning both ends of Sunday's doubleheader, 8-6 and 6-2, in front of an announced crowd of almost 1,300 at sun-drenched Capaha Field.

Southeast improved to 22-14 overall and boosted their first-place Ohio Valley Conference record to 10-2. The Indians have won 15 out of their last 18 games.

Austin Peay, the preseason OVC favorite, fell to 20-23 overall and 5-7 in the league.

"It was just a great weekend for us," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I feel really good about what we're doing and I'm very proud of the entire ballclub.

"We're getting contributions from so many people and probably the most gratifying thing is it's coming from different directions."

Mark Frazier, the Indians' versatile relief pitcher who picked up a save in Sunday's opener and a win in the finale while appearing in all three games of the series, said everything seems to be clicking.

"We're just real hot right now," Frazier said. "The hitters keep us in every game, our defense is really good and the pitching has been strong."

After dropping Sunday's opener, the Governors looked like they might be able to salvage a split as pitcher Tony Mathews carried a no-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Indians finally got their first hit off Mathews in the fifth as they scored two runs to go ahead, but Michael Johnson ripped his 11th home run of the season in the sixth to pull the Governors into a 2-2 tie.

But Southeast came right back in the bottom of the sixth with four runs, all scoring with two outs.Hatton extends streak

With one out, Vern Hatton singled to extend his hitting streak to 20 games. Tristen McDonald followed with a single, after which Mathews was relieved by Klint Rommel. Rommel retired the first batter he faced, but Ryan Govek walked to load the bases. Freshman Eric Hoffman followed with another walk, on five pitches, to force in Hatton with the go-ahead run.

"I'll take it," said a smiling Hoffman. "Their pitcher was wild and coach gave me the take sign the whole time."

David Lawson was then hit by a pitch on the helmet to force in another run -- he remained on the ground for several minutes while being attended to but was able to stay in the game -- and Denver Stuckey delivered a two-run single for even more insurance.

Stuckey had three RBIs in the game while Lawson added two, although the Indians finished with just five hits. Hoffman and Govek both scored twice.

"We won a tough game," Hogan said. "Their pitcher was really tough."

Frazier (3-5) got the victory by retiring all five batters he faced. Starter Tim Alvarez was solid, allowing six hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings, with two strikeouts and one walk.Govek stars in opener

In the first game, Govek -- who was making his first start in several weeks only because regular right fielder Brice Nicholas sprained an ankle during the late stages of Saturday's win in the series opener -- helped lead the Indians both at the plate and in the field.

Govek, who entered the day with a .219 batting average, went 3-for-3 and scored two runs.

And in the top of the sixth inning, with Southeast leading 8-4, Govek nailed a runner at third base for the first out of the inning, then recorded the final out on a sliding catch with runners on second and third.

Those defensive gems proved huge when Frank Kunich's two-out, two-run homer in the seventh pulled the Govs to within 8-6. After Alfredo Burkeen singled, Frazier replaced starter Brandon Smith and struck out Travis Beech to record his third save of the season.

"After Brice hurt his ankle, I knew I'd get a chance and I wanted to make the most of it," Govek, who started both games Sunday, said. "I got some pitches to drive and thank God I was able to come through. It's nice to be able to help out the team."

Frazier, who had struck out the side in the final inning Saturday to help preserve the Indians' 14-9 victory, allowed just one baserunner -- on a single -- in three innings of work over the weekend.

"I hadn't pitched in about two weeks, so my arm felt real rested," Frazier said. "On a day like this, when it's warm, I don't mind pitching in both games."

Smith (8-1), the OVC leader in wins, allowed nine hits and six runs (five earned) in 6 2/3 innings, with seven strikeouts and four walks.

Southeast fell behind 3-0 in the first inning, but the Indians scored the game's next six runs to take control.

The Indians had 11 hits in the second game, Hatton and Clemente Bonilla both adding two. Bonilla scored twice and had three RBIs, Hatton had two RBIs and hit his second home run of the series and Brian Hopkins also got his second homer of the weekend.