Missouri State squeaks past Southeast Missouri State baseball team

Southeast Missouri State and Missouri State took part in a one-run baseball game for the second consecutive day.

This time the Redhawks came out on the short end as the host Bears salvaged a split of the two-game series in Springfield, Mo.

MSU scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday afternoon to win 2-1. Southeast took Tuesday night's contest 8-7 in 13 innings.

"These were two really fantastic baseball games," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "There was tremendous play by both sides."

Southeast had a three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 10-7. MSU broke a five-game losing streak and improved to 9-8.

"I don't know how you could have played much better the last 48 hours than we did against a very good ballclub," Hogan said. "I'm really proud of the guys."

The Redhawks grabbed a 1-0 second-inning lead when senior Casey Jones walked, junior Jesse Tierney singled and Jones scored when junior Trenton Moses' ground ball was thrown away for an error.

Southeast still had runners on second and third with nobody out but failed to do any further damage.

MSU tied things in the third inning. Southeast placed the first two runners on in both the fourth and fifth innings but failed to score. The Redhawks had a runner at third with one out in the seventh but could not capitalize.

The Bears also had their share of failed chances.

"Both teams had plenty of opportunities," Hogan said.

MSU finally broke through in the ninth off senior Nick Thomas, Southeast's third pitcher of the day who was in his second inning of work.

Brent Seifert led off with an infield single. Trey Massenberg followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with nobody out.

Keenen Maddox singled to shallow left field but Seifert was out at the plate on a throw from senior Michael Adamson to Tierney.

Massenberg barely was able to take third on the play. Brock Chaffin was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Travis McComack then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to score Massenberg.

Senior left-hander Josh Syberg had a brilliant start for Southeast on his birthday, allowing five hits and one run in six innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Freshman left-hander Christian Hull worked a scoreless seventh inning before giving way to Thomas (1-2), who took the loss.

MSU redshirt freshman Nick Petree allowed four hits and an unearned run in seven innings. He struck out six and walked three.

Clay Murphy (2-2), a sophomore from nearby Shawnee (Ill.) High School, gave up one hit over the final two innings to notch the victory.

"Both teams got outstanding pitching both games," Hogan said. "I continue to be really impressed by the way we've pitched."

The Redhawks, who were outhit 10-5, had just one hit over the final four innings. Tierney went 2 for 4.

Southeast begins an eight-game homestand at 1 p.m. Friday when defending Horizon League regular-season champion Wright State (8-6) visits for the start of a three-game series.