Indians win, leave Mizzou runners frustrated, stranded

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri State pitchers stranded 15 Missouri baserunners as the Indians defeated the Tigers 8-5 Tuesday night at Taylor Stadium.

Missouri established a game-long trend in the first inning when it took a 1-0 lead, but stranded the bases loaded against Indians starter Tim Alvarez, who walked three batters in the inning. The Tigers' run was forced in by one of the walks.

The Indians moved ahead for good in a three-run second as Southeast scored in three straight innings for a 6-1 lead. Designated hitter David Lawson provided the big blow in the second with a one-out triple that scored Southeast's first two runs. Lawson then scored on a bunt single by Denver Stuckey, who went 3-for-4.

Missouri (11-16) answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, chasing Alvarez, to cut the lead to 6-3, but stranded the bases loaded against reliever Mark Frazier.

Southeast (10-11) added insurance runs in the eighth for an 8-3 advantage.

Missouri had runners on base in each of the last four innings against Frazier, but mustered only single runs in the eight and ninth innings.

Missouri's frustrating night ended when Southeast center-fielder Vern Hatton made a diving catch on a ball off the bat of W.T. Hoover, stranding the final two runners.

Frazier (2-4) allowed seven hits and walked four in 4 1/3 innings, but picked up the win.

Missouri starter Abel Newton (3-3), who allowed eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, suffered the loss.

Southeast outhit Missouri 13 to 11.

Zach Borowiak, Hatton and Ryan Govek all went 2-for-5 for Southeast while Brian Hopkins was 2-for-4.

Jayce Tingler and Lee Laskowski both had three hits for Missouri.