SOUTHEAST BATS ROCK VISITING LITTLE ROCK

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team was struggling with a four-game losing streak.

But there was nothing like a beautiful spring day -- along with a visit from Arkansas-Little Rock -- to cure the Indians' woes.

The Indians lashed out 16 hits -- including a pair of home runs from Jeff Bourbon -- as they posted a 15-3 non-conference victory Tuesday afternoon at Capaha Field.

Southeast improved to 12-16 heading into today's 3 p.m. game against regional rival Southern Illinois in Carbondale.

UALR, which had won five of its last six games -- including an upset of Oklahoma -- fell to 15-19.

"It was very impressive for us today," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan. "I was real pleased with the whole ballclub. We had a big offensive day and we gave up only three runs to a team that had been playing real well."

Bourbon added a double to go with his two homers. He drove in four runs.

Steve Lowe went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Also getting two hits were Clemente Bonilla Jr., Jeremy Johnson and Kevin Meyer. Dan Berry drove in three runs while Bonilla and Darin Kinsolving each added two RBIs.

Lanson Debrock picked up the victory as he improved to 3-4 by allowing five hits and two runs over the first four innings.

Three relievers then limited UALR to two hits and one run over the final five innings.

Freshman Todd Pennington and Brandon Smith each threw two scoreless frames. Pennington was especially impressive, allowing no hits while striking out four and walking one. Smith gave up one hit.

Steve Smitherman was the only UALR player with two hits. Matt Stallbaumer (1-1) got the loss, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The visitors led 2-1 entering the bottom of the second inning but then it was all Southeast. The Indians got three in the second, four in the third and five in the fourth to break things wide open.

Now the Indians will gear up for today's non-league rivalry game at SIU. The Salukis, who compete in the rugged Missouri Valley Conference, are off to their best start in years with a 20-7 record.

"They're having an outstanding season," said Hogan of the Salukis. "It's going to be a stiff test for us but we're looking forward to it."