First-game rally, dominant finale pad Indians' streak

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team used an unusual seventh-inning rally in the opener and dominant pitching by Jon Nourie in the finale to sweep a doubleheader Tuesday and extend its winning streak.

The Indians defeated host Lipscomb 5-2 and 6-2 in a pair of seven-inning contests as they pushed their victory string to 12 games and improved their record to 15-8. The Bisons fell to 11-24.

"We just have really been playing well, and I couldn't be prouder of our club," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

In the opener, the Indians trailed 2-0 after four innings. They tied the contest in the fifth, then went ahead for good with a three-run seventh that featured three walks and two errors -- but no hits.

Aaron Fangman led off the top of the seventh with a walk, and Denver Stuckey did the same. After Justin Christian reached on a throwing error to load the bases, Zach Borowiak drew a walk that forced in the go-ahead run. Another run came home on an error, and Gary Gilbert delivered a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring.

Starter Ryan Forsyth pitched five solid innings, allowing seven hits and two runs.

Gilbert, the Indians' first baseman who had made just two brief pitching appearances this season, came on and got his first Southeast victory with two shutout innings. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Nourie was the story in the second game. A junior-college All-American last season, the left-hander struggled early this year but has been solid lately. On Wednesday he fired a complete-game four-hitter, striking out 13 and walking four as he evened his record at 2-2.

"Forsyth did a super job, Gilbert came in and did the job, and Nourie was just overpowering all the way around," Hogan said.

Southeast had 18 hits on the day, led by Christian's 4-for-7 performance that included two doubles.

Borowiak, Gilbert and Denver Stuckey all added three hits. Borowiak belted his team-leading fifth home run of the season in the second game. He and Fangman both had two RBIs on the day.

The Indians will have another non-conference game today when Southern Illinois (17-12) visits Capaha Field for a 3 p.m. first pitch.