INDIANS TRY TO WRECK EIU's PERFECT SEASON

Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri State University are locked into the top two Ohio Valley Conference baseball spots heading into this weekend's final series of the regular season.

But don't tell Southeast coach Mark Hogan that there won't be a lot at stake for his second-place Indians when they face the OVC champion Panthers in a three-game set in Charleston, Ill.

The squads will have a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday.

With the OVC Tournament beginning Wednesday in Paducah, Ky., Hogan realizes valuable momentum can be gained with a statement this weekend.

"I think it's important to go into the tournament playing well and with a lot of confidence," Hogan said. "We're going against the only team in the league we haven't played yet and it's important to try and establish superiority."

Southeast (33-16 overall, 14-4 OVC) and EIU (32-17, 17-0) have proven to be the league's dominant teams all season, with the Panthers putting together an unbelievable conference campaign.

EIU is the only team in the nation to be undefeated in its conference and the Panthers have broken the OVC record for consecutive conference wins in a season.

"What they have done is just phenomenal and you have to tip your hat to them," said Hogan. "In most years, our record would put us either at the top of the standings or right in the hunt for the title, but they've been unbelievable."

The Panthers, facing some rugged early competition, began the season with a 2-10 record, but since that time they've won 30 of 37 games.

EIU has been fueled in conference play by a strong offense and a sturdy pitching staff. The Panthers lead the OVC in batting at .314, including a .345 mark against league opponents. And, although they rank only fifth in overall earned-run average at 6.20, they have an impressive 3.77 ERA within the conference.

Seven EIU regulars are hitting better than .300, led by Ben Duke (.361), Bob VanHoorebeck (.357) and Bret Pignatiello (.353). Brian Nickell has nine home runs while Duke has eight.

In the pitching department, the Panthers' top starters are Scott Metz (5-1, 4.42 ERA), Pete Martin (7-2, 5.61) and Nick Albu (7-4, 6.63). Mike Ziroli (6-2, 8 saves, 3.07) is one of the league's premier relievers.

"They've got an outstanding all-around ballclub," Hogan said.

The Indians have been led by the OVC's top pitching staff -- they have a 3.63 ERA -- and an offense that has picked up steam as the season has gone on. Southeast has a .303 batting average.

Each team also shines defensively, the Panthers leading the OVC with a .964 fielding percentage and the Indians right behind at .963.

While both squads will no doubt want to do well this weekend, they also must be careful with their pitching staffs in anticipation of the OVC tourney that begins just three days after the series ends.

"That's going to be a huge consideration," said Hogan. "We've talked a lot about it. Everything we do will be with consideration for the tournament.

"Obviously we want to win this weekend, but our main concern is the tournament."