Offense takes over as Indians dodge rain, win series opener

So much for the anticipated pitcher's duel.

With two of the Ohio Valley Conference's best hurlers on the mound in Southeast Missouri State University's Brad Purcell and Austin Peay's Mike Weel, runs were expected to be scarce Saturday at Capaha Field.

Instead, offense ruled -- which didn't bother the Indians, who posted a wild 14-9 victory in the opener of a key three-game series that featured a one-hour rain delay.

The teams were to play a doubleheader Saturday, but because of the threat of rain, the two seven-inning games were pushed back to 1 p.m. today, with Sunday's normal nine-inning contest Saturday instead.

"A lot of time people expect a pitcher's duel, but baseball is a funny game and it doesn't always work out that way," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

Hogan didn't mind, because the Indians improved to 20-14 and boosted their first-place OVC record to 8-2. Austin Peay, the preseason OVC favorite just ahead of Southeast, fell to 20-21 overall and 5-5 in the league.

"It was a long day, but it's good to get this first one," said Southeast catcher Tristen McDonald, the squad's leading hitter who boosted his average to .380 with a 3-for-3 performance.

While Weel (6-3) struggled early and could not recover as he was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing 10 hits and eight earned runs, Purcell (7-2) regrouped after a shaky start to work seven solid innings and tie teammate Brandon Smith for the OVC lead in wins.

Purcell gave up eight hits and seven runs, but he struck out 10.

"In these kind of conditions, with the wet field, getting 10 strikeouts was big, because it helps negate the defensive part," Hogan said.

Southeast banged out 13 hits and continued to thrive in the clutch. The Indians have been a strong offensive team with two outs all season, but they took that to a new level Saturday as all 14 of their runs came with two outs.

"It's not a fluke, because we've been doing it consistently, but to score all 14 runs that way is really unusual," Hogan said.

Said McDonald, "I don't think anybody really thinks about it, but we just don't give up. We go up there with confidence."

Brian Hopkins went 3-for-4 and had four RBIs from his No. 6 spot in the order. His three-run homer in the second inning helped wipe out an early deficit.

Vern Hatton, batting .361, got a key two-run homer in the seventh inning just after the long rain delay to put Southeast up 14-7 and help stave off a late rally. Hatton, who extended his hitting streak to 18 games, had two hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Denver Stuckey and Zach Borowiak both added two hits for the Indians.

For Austin Peay, which had 12 hits, Alfredo Burkeen went 3-for-4. A.J. Ellis homered and had three RBIs while Michael Johnson got his 10th homer of the season.

Southeast led 12-3 after four innings before Austin Peay chipped away. But the Indians still appeared to be in good shape as they carried a 14-7 lead into the ninth.

But things got a bit hairy as the Govs pulled to within 14-9 and had runners on first and second with nobody out. On came Mark Frazier, Southeast's third pitcher, who struck out two batters, allowed a single and then fanned a third.

"I never felt comfortable because they have so many good hitters," Hogan said. "Frazier came in and did a great job."

Even though the Indians have clearly placed themselves in the OVC driver's seat, Hogan is not expecting an easy time today.

"Austin Peay never quit and we know they're going to come out hard tomorrow," he said. "The series is a long way from being over."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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