Indians avoid OVC sweep

Payback was sweet for Southeast Missouri State University Sunday afternoon -- and it also kept the Indians well within striking distance of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

One day after being swept in a doubleheader by Austin Peay, the Indians salvaged a victory in the three-game series by holding off the Governors 9-7 at Capaha Field.

Austin Peay (22-12, 9-3) remained on top of the OVC standings by one game and the Indians (17-18, 7-5) remained in a three-way tie for fourth place.

But instead of falling four games behind the Govs -- which a loss would have done -- the Indians are just two games back with still more than half of the OVC schedule left. Southeast is one game behind Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois, who are tied for second at 8-4.

"It was a must win for us," Southeast left fielder Eric Horstman said. "Now we're right back in it, just two games out."

Said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, "I hate to say a must win this early, but it was our biggest game of the year by far. It was a real gut check and we did it."

The Indians built an 8-0 lead through four innings and then held off a furious comeback by the Govs, who made things interesting thanks to Brett Luther's two-run homer in the fifth and his grand slam in the sixth that pulled Austin Peay to within 8-6.

"This was a heck of a ballgame," Hogan said. "With the wind blowing out, no lead was safe."

A strong wind out to right field helped account for five home runs, including three by the Govs, although Luther's slam was a monster shot to dead center.

Southeast was outhit 13-9 but made their hits count. First baseman Freddy Lopez went 3-for-4, with his team-high sixth homer of the season, a double and two RBIs. He had seven hits in the series.

"We just didn't want to get swept," Lopez said. "We knew how big a game it was."

Horstman had two hits, including a three-run triple in Southeast's five-run fourth that made it 8-0 and knocked out Austin Peay starter Brad Daniel (3-1), who entered the weekend with the OVC's second-best earned-run average at 2.86. Horstman ended the series with six hits.

Shortstop Ernie Bracamonte homered for the second straight game; he had two hits and three RBIs, giving him six RBIs in the series.

Freshman right fielder Brent Lawson continued his strong play with an RBI single and a brilliant, diving catch in foul territory with two outs and the bases loaded that snuffed out an early Austin Peay threat. Lawson had five hits in the series.

Derek Herbig (3-3) was the winner. After four shutout innings, he ran into trouble, allowing seven hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings.

"I didn't feel like I had my best stuff, but the offense was great today," Herbig said.

Ryan Forsyth was solid, allowing five hits and two runs in three innings, including scoreless seventh and eighth frames.

Closer Brad Smith earned his sixth save of the season by getting the final two outs of the ninth and benefiting from an unusual game-ending play.

Jared Walker's leadoff homer in the ninth pulled the Govs to within 9-7. With one out, Tommy Smith singled and on came Brad Smith. After Chris Hyde struck out, Jake Peterson singled to right, seemingly keeping the Govs' comeback hopes alive.

But Tommy Smith, after rounding second, inexplicably stopped momentarily. He then tried to make it to third but was thrown out on a close play by second baseman Bo Jenkins, who had taken Lawson's relay throw. Third baseman Gary Gilbert applied the tag.