Spencer provides steady for Southeast baseball team

Tony Spencer was not among Southeast Missouri State's most highly touted baseball recruits for this year.

But it's hard to imagine anybody doing more for the Redhawks than the diminutive transfer from Mineral Area College.

"He's been as valuable as anybody for us," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

Entering this weekend's three-game series at Eastern Illinois, Spencer carries a .291 batting average that is solid, but doesn't begin to tell the entire story of his play.

Spencer's .435 on-base percentage is second on the squad. He ranks ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference in stolen bases per game as his 10 thefts -- in 14 attempts -- lead the Redhawks.

Defensively, Spencer spent the first few weeks of the season at shortstop when Nick Harris was hurt, and primarily has been at second base since Harris returned.

Spencer showed his versatility when he filled in at center field for Tyrell Cummings last Sunday against Austin Peay as Cummings was bothered by a sore leg that limited him to serving as the designated hitter.

"They asked me before the game if I could play center," Spencer said. "I've pretty much played every position in summer ball."

Spencer knows he was not among Southeast's highest-profile newcomers for this season.

That list includes Cummings, who leads the Redhawks in most major offensive categories, and left fielder Justin Wheeler. Both are, like Spencer, junior college transfers.

Spencer is fine with that because he knows his size -- he is generously listed as 5 foot 8 and 160 pounds -- and lack of flash have caused doubters at most stages of his baseball career.

"People that have recruited me, I said you can't just watch me one time," Spencer said. "You have to watch me a lot."

Steve Bieser, a former Southeast baseball standout and major league player, had pretty much the same words of advice for Hogan.

Bieser was Spencer's coach at Vianney High School in suburban St. Louis, where Spencer played with current Southeast catcher Jim Klocke and pitcher Josh Syberg.

During Spencer's two productive years at Mineral Area College -- he batted .374 last year and .350 as a freshman -- Bieser called Hogan to make a pitch for his former player.

"He called me last spring and said I've got a guy that can play Division I baseball," Hogan recalled. "He told me he's got a lot of intangibles. He's not a big guy, he won't impress you with the way he looks, but he can play."

Hogan and his staff liked what they saw and signed Spencer, who did not began this season listed as a starter.

But Harris suffered a knee injury in the opener and Spencer took his place at shortstop for the next several weeks.

Spencer has been in the lineup ever since, with the majority of his time spent at second base.

"As soon as Nick got hurt, he got an opportunity and he hasn't come out of the lineup," Hogan said. "He just knows how to get involved."

Spencer has been pesky at the plate no matter where he's been placed in the batting order, which is usually at leadoff or in the ninth spot.

"Any way to get on base," said Spencer, who has walked 20 times and been hit by pitches eight times. His 30 runs scored rank fourth on the Redhawks.

As for his listed height and weight, Spencer smiled when questioned.

"I'm probably 5-7, and I was close to 160 pounds at the beginning of the season, but I'm not that heavy now," he said.

He's been plenty big enough for the Redhawks.

Series at EIU

Southeast (18-18, 8-8) and Eastern Illinois (18-23, 9-9) are in a four-way tie for third place in the 10-team OVC with nine games remaining. The top six finishers make the conference tournament.

There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. contest Sunday.

EIU was swept in a three-game series at Samford last weekend in which it was outscored 18-3. The Panthers have lost five straight OVC games, during which they have scored just three runs. EIU has dropped seven straight overall.

The Panthers' strength has been their pitching staff. EIU leads the OVC in ERA at 4.24, and during conference play that mark is 2.81.

Southeast's pitching has struggled much of the season. The Redhawks are sixth in the OVC with a 5.65 ERA, and in league games they are eighth at 7.17.

Hogan is contemplating again juggling his rotation this weekend.

Senior ace Dustin Renfrow, who is 3-4 with a 5.16 ERA, will start today's nine-inning opener.

Hogan said who gets the nod in today's seven-inning nightcap and Sunday's nine-inning series finale will "be determined."

Added Hogan: "Obviously we've had some trouble on the mound. I want to watch their club. ... I just want to wait and see."

Junior James Leigh (5-1, 5.61) and sophomore Josh Syberg (0-3, 6.35) primarily have been Southeast's other conference starters.

There is a possibility senior Lance Rhodes (2-3, 3.86), who has been Southeast's top hurler out of the bullpen, will receive his first OVC start this weekend.

Offensively, Southeast is third in the OVC with a .292 batting average, including a league-leading .322 during conference play. EIU ranks ninth at .266, including .263 in league games.