Southeast Missouri State University's first Ohio Valley Conference series sweep of the season did not come without a struggle -- which is exactly what the Indians expected.

"Their record doesn't show how tough they were," junior outfielder Bryan Kurt said. "We knew they'd play us really tough."

Samford (4-23, 0-9) is in last place in the OVC, but the Bulldogs gave the Indians (16-15, 6-3) all they wanted during Saturday's 12-8 victory in front of nearly 400 fans at Capaha Field. Friday, Southeast had a first-game struggle 7-5 before sweeping the doubleheader 9-1.

"They're a tough ballclub, even though their record doesn't show it," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "It's not easy to sweep anybody."

The Indians finally climbed above the .500 mark for the first time all season and moved into a five-way tie for second place in the OVC, just one game behind Austin Peay (7-2). The Governors visit Capaha Field for a three-game series next weekend.

"This is a big sweep for us," junior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte said. "It was a big weekend for us in the OVC."

Southeast continued to hit well and wrapped up a series of solid defense despite entering the weekend ninth among 10 OVC teams with a .944 fielding percentage. The Indians had one error Saturday and just two in the three-game set.

"I think our ballclub is starting to come together," Hogan said. "It was a really good weekend for us, and it makes things very interesting in the conference. The next series with Austin Peay should be exciting."

Bracamonte, junior third baseman/outfielder Eric Horstman, junior designated hitter Freddy Lopez and junior second baseman Bo Jenkins all had two of Southeast's 12 hits. Bracamonte, senior first baseman/third baseman Gary Gilbert and junior catcher Brady Noll each drove in two runs.

Horstman finished the series with seven hits and Bracamonte had six as both players raised their averages to .350, which is tied for second on the Indians. Junior center fielder Frankie Montiel leads the way at .371. Southeast's team average has climbed to .297.

"Our offense is really starting to come around," Hogan said.

Starter Ryan Forsyth allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in five-plus innings. The junior right-hander left the game with a lead after allowing a leadoff single in the sixth but did not figure into the decision.

Ace reliever Brad Smith, a junior right-hander who had pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings in Friday's opener, retired all three batters he faced in the sixth but was charged with three runs in the seventh, the final two coming home as freshman right-hander Matt Carter allowed a double by Garrett Rice that tied the contest at 8-8, although the go-ahead run was thrown out at the plate.

Carter (1-1), despite facing only that one batter, earned his first collegiate victory when the Indians broke the deadlock with a four-run seventh.

Montiel led off with a double, junior outfielder Aaron Fangman bunted for a single and Kurt's single plated Montiel with the eventual winning run. Noll and Bracamonte added RBI singles while Horstman delivered a sacrifice fly for added insurance.

"It's our first sweep and the first time to be over the .500 mark, so it was a big weekend for us," Kurt said.

Junior left-hander Derek Herbig, who struck out 12 in eight innings during Wednesday's win over Freed-Hardeman, blanked the Bulldogs in the final two innings, allowing one hit.

"I tip my hat to our club. They kept battling today. They didn't want to lose," Hogan said.

Samford also had 12 hits, led by Michael Collins, Matt Alling, Trey Moody and Hunter Tubbs with two each.