Indians look for a break in home series

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team will try to use its decided home-field advantage -- the Indians are 11-1 at Capaha Park this season -- to get back on a winning track in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Indians are 18-11 overall and 3-2 in the OVC, but they are saddled with a two-game conference losing streak after dropping the final two contests of last weekend's series at Eastern Kentucky. Southeast has lost three of its last four games overall.

Southeast will look to get well against Eastern Illinois (15-18, 2-4), which visits Capaha for a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single game Saturday.

"We need to protect our home turf, like we have been," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

The Indians are the defending OVC regular-season and tournament champions, and they were picked in every preseason poll to successfully defend their title.

It's still early in the conference season, but the Indians are not in first place. That distinction belongs to Austin Peay, which is 4-0-1. Tennessee Tech, Eastern Kentucky and Murray State are all 3-2, causing a four-way tie for second place. Eastern Illinois is right behind that group.

"I wouldn't say this weekend will determine what's going to happen in the conference, but you don't want to fall too far behind," Hogan said. "It's an important series for both clubs, although I wouldn't say it's do or die.

"But I expect Eastern Illinois to play very well, and I hope we play up to our capabilities."

Southeast's players agree with their coach that the series is not of the make-or-break variety. But they also don't minimize the importance of the three games, especially with a string of 11 straight road games -- including six OVC contests -- scheduled to begin Tuesday. The Indians, in fact, have just three home games left after this weekend.

"This is a huge series for us," left fielder Brian Hopkins said.

Added third baseman Denver Stuckey, "After losing two at Eastern Kentucky, we need to string some wins together."

Any success the Indians might have this weekend could hinge on them shoring up a normally solid defense that has struggled in recent outings.

Southeast has committed 12 errors in the past three games and allowed eight unearned runs during Wednesday's 11-9 non-conference loss at Middle Tennessee State.

"We've got a good defensive team, but for whatever reason we're not playing well defensively right now," Hogan said. "It's important we get back to playing the way we were before these last few games."

The Indians' offense continues to thrive. After banging out 16 hits Wednesday, Southeast has increased its team batting average to .310.

Hopkins has been on a tear in recent games, moving his average to a sizzling .385 in addition to leading the squad in home runs with seven. He is second in RBIs with 29.

"I've been hitting the ball well, and hopefully I can keep it going," Hopkins said. "We really need to play well this weekend."

Also hitting above .300 for the Indians are shortstop Zach Borowiak (.348), second baseman Justin Christian (.345), Stuckey (.317), center fielder Seth Moulton (.317) and right fielder Aaron Fangman (.303). Borowiak leads in RBIs with 31 and is second in home runs with six. Christian has five homers.

Left-hander Tim Alvarez (9-1, 1.44 earned-run average), who is tied for first nationally in wins and ranks 10th in ERA, will start today's nine-inning opener.

Another left-hander, Jon Nourie (2-2, 5.91), will get the nod in today's seven-inning second game. Nourie, who has had several recent solid outings, is 15th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.5.

Right-hander Bill Clayton (0-2, 8.86), who has shown flashes but is still searching for consistency, is scheduled to start Saturday's nine-inning series finale.

Eastern Illinois, batting .288 as a team, is led by Kirk Walters (.378) and Bret Pignatello (.336). Pignatello is ninth nationally with 12 homers and he leads the Panthers with 33 RBIs. Aaron Shelbourne has eight homers and Walters seven.

The Panthers will throw three right-handed starters at the Indians, including Damon White (2-2, 2.01) against Alvarez in today's opener. White ranks second behind Alvarez among the OVC's ERA leaders.

Matt Tyson (2-3, 6.00) will start today's finale with Jared Marshall (4-1, 4.95) going Saturday.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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