JOHNSON, SE BASEBALL TEAM KEEP ON ROLLING

Southeast Missouri State University's Charlie Mrino slid safely into third with a stolen base as Iowa State's Rob Conway reached to tag him during the second game of Sunday's doubleheader, which the Indians swept.

Jeremy Johnson keeps piling up records, and Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team keeps piling up victories.

On a day that saw Johnson become Southeast's career hits leader, the Indians pushed their winning streak to five games by sweeping a doubleheader from Iowa State.

The 4-0 and 4-3 victories Sunday, watched by more than 500 fans at Capaha Field, completed a three-game weekend sweep of the Cyclones.

Southeast improved to 5-2 while Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference fell to 3-7.

While acknowledging that Iowa State ranks as one of the Big 12's weakest programs -- the Cyclones went 2-28 in league play last year -- Southeast coach Mark Hogan didn't want to diminish what his squad accomplished over the weekend.

"To sweep anybody is very good, and to win five in a row has to be great for our confidence," he said. "For this early in the year, we're doing a lot of things well."

Johnson had four hits in eight at-bats Sunday, giving him 217 hits for his brilliant Southeast career. The senior right fielder broke the previous record of 215 hits held by Kyle Yount, who completed his eligibility last season.

A product of Egyptian (Ill.) High School, Johnson is also likely to break career records for runs batted in, triples, at-bats and games played. In addition to most hits, he already holds school marks for doubles with 56 and runs scored with 158.

Asked about his latest record following the sweep, Johnson was typically humble.

"I guess it's nice," he said with a smile. "Everybody asks me about the records. They're fine, but winning and losing is the main thing. I'm just glad we swept. If we had lost the second game, I wouldn't have been happy."

While it's still so early in the season, Johnson likes the look of this Southeast team.

"I like our attitude and our chemistry. We play hard every game. And our pitching has been strong," he said. "It's early, but it's great to get off to a good start."

Said Hogan of Johnson, "Nobody deserves it more. He's a great player and just a class young man."

Other than Johnson's latest record, the main story lines Sunday were Charlie Marino breaking out of his slump and the Indians' dominating starting pitching.

Marino, who set Southeast's single-season home run record of 21 two years ago before sitting out last season with a knee injury, had gotten just one hit in 16 at bats prior to Sunday.

But he broke out in a big way by going 5-for-6, including his first home run of the season, a shot to left field in the opener. Marino raised his batting average from .063 to .273.

"Charlie is a tough guy and that's why you don't even think about taking him out (of the lineup)," said Hogan of his slugger's early struggles. "It's great to see him break out."

Marino also stole four bases, three coming in the second game. Southeast swiped eight without being caught Sunday, making the Indians 21 of 22 in stolen bases this year.

"Everybody has the green light and they're all making great decisions," Hogan said.

In the pitching department, starters Dan Huesgen and Lanson Debrock both turned in gems, although only Huesgen had a victory to show for his work.

Huesgen, Southeast's ace, worked seven shutout innings in the opener, allowing just one hit. He struck out four and walked two.

"I felt good, and the team is really playing well," said Huesgen.

Augie Casson hurled two hitless innings to complete the one-hit shutout in which no Cyclone reached as far as third base. Casson fanned two and walked one.

In the seven-inning second game, Debrock allowed just two hits and an unearned run in five innings. He fanned two and walked none.

"Our starting pitching gave up three hits in 12 innings. That's awesome," said Hogan.

Debrock left with a 3-1 lead, but Iowa State tied things with a two-run sixth.

Southeast won it in the bottom of the seventh. Darin Kinsolving singled, then Phil Warren sacrificed and reached on an error that sent pinch-runner Kenny Gaebler to third. With Jeff Bourbon at the plate, Gaebler scored on a wild pitch to end the contest.

Jeff Hilz was the winning pitcher as he worked the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit while fanning three and walking two. Hilz relieved Brandon Smith, who ran into some tough luck in the sixth, allowing three hits and two runs while retiring just one batter.

Kinsolving went 4-for-7 in the twin bill as Southeast had 19 hits total. Iowa State had only seven hits.

The Indians return to action Tuesday with a 2 p.m. game at Memphis.