INCIANS COLLECT SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN

Southeast Missouri State University ran its winning streak to six games with a 10-6 victory over St. Louis University at Capaha Field on Wednesday.

The win completed a home-and-away sweep over the Billikens and for the third straight game, the Indians (17-8) rang up double-digit hit and run totals.

"Right now, things are good for us," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, "but as always in baseball, I'm sure there'll be some bumps along the way, but I like what we're doing right now."

Against St. Louis, Southeast fell behind 3-0 early as the Billikens scored two in the third inning off starter Mark Frazier and one in the fourth off reliever Greg Lunski.

But the Indians came roaring back with four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead at 4-3, a lead they never relinquished. Freshman Brad Beatty's three-run homer was the key blow in the inning. Beatty, on a hot streak of his own with seven hits in his last nine at bats, led the 14-hit attack going 4-for-4 with four RBIs.

"He doesn't swing like a freshman," said Hogan. "Everything he's hitting right now is on the nose."

Raising his average over .300 for the first time this season, Beatty said, "I feel comfortable out there, a lot more than I did earlier in the year. Everybody's helped me through the rough times and they've all stayed behind me."

Southeast extended its margin to 9-3 in a five-run sixth with five hits wrapped around two wild pitches and an error.

The Billikens closed to 9-6 with three runs in the top of the seventh, but could not capitalize on a bases-loaded situation in the ninth.

Tristen McDonald's second home run in two days -- a 400-foot solo shot to straight-away center field in the seventh -- completed the Indian scoring.

Senior first baseman Shane Allen and McDonald contributed two hits each.

Lunski, who allowed two hits in two innings of work, picked up the win and improved to 3-1. He struck out three and walked two. Todd Pennington, Robinson and Hilz followed Lunski and helped nail down the win. Collectively, Southeast's five pitchers struck out 12 batters, walked eight and allowed nine hits.

Brad Wehrfritz (2-3) took the loss for the Billikens, who fell to 11-15.

Andrew Slania, who hit a solo round-tripper, and Steve Moss paced the St. Louis offense with three hits each.