Southeast Missouri State University senior pitcher James Beever's tough stretch continued Saturday when he dropped to 0-4 after allowing six runs, four of them earned, in 5 2/3 innings in a 7-5 loss to Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Southern Miss. (10-4) jumped ahead 1-0 after one inning on an unearned run. The Indians (3-6) responded in the second with two runs on four hits. Southeast grabbed its lone lead in the next inning when senior Denver Stuckey put his base-running skills on display. Stuckey reached on a bunt single, made it to second after a throwing error and stole third before being knocked in.

Southeast's lead was short-lived as Southern Mississippi tied the score in the third, then went on to score four more runs the next three innings to seal the win. Southeast banged out 15 hits but left 10 runners on base, including five in scoring position.

Stuckey had a big day at the plate for Southeast. He went 4-for-5, including two doubles and two RBIs. Auburn transfer Justin Christian continued a strong season with three hits. Zach Barowiak, Brian Hopkins and Aaron Fangman all added two hits for Southeast. Southern Mississippi's Clint King frustrated the Indians' pitchers, going 3-for-3 with three runs and four RBIs.

Southeast will finish its three-game series with Southern Miss today in Hatiesburg, Miss.

Otahks drop two games in home tournament

Southeast slipped to 2-5 after losing both games on the second day of the Southeast Missouri State Softball Classic.

In its opener Saturday, Southeast was stifled by the pitching of Middle Tennessee State as Staye Preator and Valerie Swanson combined on a two-hit shutout.

Middle Tennessee broke open a scoreless tie with a four-run fourth and went on to win 6-0. Preator struck out six in six innings and allowed only one hit. Swanson pitched the seventh, allowing one hit.

Kelly Birk gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings for the Otahkians. Kate Groden and Alana Babgy-Leonard had the only two hits for Southeast.

Southeast remained quiet offensively in its second game of the day, falling 5-1 to Drake. Drake pitcher Jessica Hicks struck out seven and allowed seven hits in seven innings. For Southeast Brooke Nett went 2-for-3 and had the lone RBI. Mollie Daniels led Drake with three hits, three RBIs and a home run.

In other games in the tournament, Middle Tennessee State defeated Drake 3-2, Southwest Missouri State beat Lipscomb 4-1 and Drake 13-5, Siena defeated Lipscomb 8-3 and Southwest Missouri State 8-3, and Middle Tennessee beat Lipscomb 2-1.

Southeast tennis team gets first win at Bradley

Southeast's tennis team scored its first win with a 4-3 defeat of Bradley University at Peoria, Ill.

Daniela Garcia, Cassie Foster, Kay Ehlke and Amanda Walker brought home singles wins for the Otahkians (2-1). The doubles team of Ehlke and Foster were the lone doubles team to win.

Southeast will make its home debut Tuesday against Tennessee State.

-- From staff reports