When Southeast Missouri State University and Austin Peay meet this weekend in a battle for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference, there's a good chance Brad Smith will have a key role.

Smith, a junior relief pitcher who is tied for the OVC lead in saves, has been arguably the Indians' most valuable player so far this season.

And, in a three-game series that figures to be tight between the first-place Governors (20-11, 7-2) and Indians (16-16, 6-3) -- who are in a five-way tie for second place -- Smith could play an extra important part. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday.

"Going up against an excellent Austin Peay team, which has very good pitching, these games figure to be very tight and Brad could really be a difference maker," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "He's about as important a guy as we've got because of the role he's in and the success he's had."

Smith, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury after transferring to Southeast from Northeast Texas Community College, has a 3-0 record and five saves. He has appeared in 17 of Southeast's 32 games, all out of the bullpen. In 30 innings, he has allowed just 19 hits while striking out 35 and walking 10. His earned-run average is 3.00.

"I feel like things are going well for me so far," Smith said.

A 5-foot-11, 190-pound side-arming right-hander, Smith is the Indians' closer but he has also filled a variety of relief roles depending on the situation.

"We'd ideally like him to just close, but we have to do what it takes to win," Hogan said. "He's been great in different situations."

Smith, a native of Whitehouse, Texas, loves to close games -- he filled that role in junior college -- but his main priority is pitching as much as possible.

"I love closing, but I just like being on the hill no matter what situation I'm in," Smith said.

Smith said he has made a complete recovery from last year's shoulder surgery performed by Dr. William Thorpe, the university's physician.

"My shoulder was pretty messed up but Dr. Thorpe did an amazing job," Smith said. "My shoulder feels great and I really have to thank him."

Smith, who said his best pitch is a slider, stands a solid chance of breaking Southeast's single-season save record of eight, set by Hal Hempen in 1987. And, barring injury, he should eventually eclipse Hempen's career mark of 10.

"He should shatter those records before he's through here," Hogan said.

Smith could have some opportunities to get closer to those records this weekend if the games are as tight as most people expect.

"It should be a great series and I'm looking forward to it," Smith said.

Defending championAustin Peay is the defending OVC regular-season champion, having edged second-place Southeast by one-half game last year.

Even though it's still relatively early in the league schedule, Southeast senior infielder Gary Gilbert said, "It's a monstrous series. Having lost to them by a half-game last year ... they're a great team and the weather should be super. Our fans know how big this is so we should have great crowds."

Austin Peay is batting .289 as a team compared to .295 for Southeast, but in conference play the Indians are hitting .331.

On paper, the Govs have a pitching edge as their ERA is 4.50 -- including 3.72 in the league -- compared to 5.86 for the Indians.

"It's early, but it's still an important series for both teams," Hogan said. "Both programs have been excellent over the years and it's always a good rivalry. We always seem to have good games."