Indians focus on OVC, not painful MU loss

Southeast opens three-game series today with Tennessee-Martin.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Wednesday's 11-10 loss at nationally ranked Missouri was disappointing, but Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan doesn't expect any kind of carry-over effect when the Indians resume Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend.

The Indians continue their quest for a second consecutive OVC regular-season title with a three-game series at Tennessee-Martin. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday.

"It was a disappointing loss to Missouri, but that shouldn't have an impact one way or another this weekend," Hogan said.

Southeast led Missouri 10-6 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Tigers rallied for five runs, including a game-ending two-run home run with two outs and two strikes on the batter.

"We were so close to nailing it down and it was tough to lose like that, but we played really well and there were a lot of positives from that game," Hogan said.

Now the Indians (22-15, 6-5) will set their sights on the improving Skyhawks (14-22-1, 3-7-1), who are shooting for their first-ever OVC Tournament berth.

UTM is in last place in the eight-team league and only the top six squads qualify for the tournament, but the Skyhawks are well within striking distance of most of the other teams.

Meanwhile, Southeast is in a three-way tie for third place, just one game behind league-leading Tennessee Tech.

"It's obviously a real important series for both teams," Hogan said. "There's a big opportunity for us to make a move and we need to take advantage of it if we can, but they're also looking to make a move."

Hogan said he doesn't expect the Indians to take the perennially weak Skyhawks lightly.

"I totally respect them, and we're playing at their place," he said. "The worst thing we could do is take anything for granted."

The Skyhawks, batting .299 as a team, feature five regulars hitting better than .300, led by Brad Nighswonger (.384). Brian Jordan is the top power threat with six home runs while Nighswonger and Loren Turner have five apiece.

In the pitching department, UTM has a bloated 7.01 earned-run average, but left-hander Donnie Corey (4-3, 3.78) has been a solid starter and is the reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week.

Southeast's batting average is .311, but the Indians actually have one less regular hitting over .300 than the Skyhawks.

Three players have been largely responsible for Southeast's solid team offensive mark. Brian Hopkins is batting a sizzling .401, with Justin Christian at .371 and Zach Borowiak at .370 as all are among the OVC's top hitters. Denver Stuckey is also above .300 (.304).

Hopkins has 12 homers and 39 runs batted in. Christian has nine homers and 33 RBIs while Borowiak has eight homers to go with a team-high 42 RBIs.

Overall, the Indians have belted 47 home runs, which is second in the OVC.

"I didn't think our team would have this kind of power, but it's been nice to see," Hogan said.

In OVC games only, Hopkins and Christian are red-hot at .442 and .429, respectively, while Borowiak is among the league's top hitters as well at .364. David Lawson is also in that group as he is batting .368 in conference play. Lawson has shaken off an 0-for-20 start to the season to raise his overall average to a respectable .269.

Southeast boasts the OVC's top pitcher in left-hander Tim Alvarez (10-2, 2.27), who leads the league in wins, ERA, shutouts with two and complete games with five. Alvarez will start today's opener.

Right-hander Bill Clayton (2-2, 7.34) has turned in two consecutive solid starts after a rocky beginning to the season and he'll get the nod in today's second game.

For Sunday's contest, Hogan said the Indians will make a change as left-hander Jon Nourie, who has struggled with his control, will be replaced as the starter by either right-hander Ryan Forsyth (3-0, 4.40) or left-hander Stan Skakalski (3-0, 5.61), who were both impressive at Missouri Wednesday. Forsyth is ninth in the OVC in ERA.

"Both those guys have worked themselves in this kind of position," Hogan said. "We don't know which one will start, but both should pitch this weekend."