Box Score

Hattiesburg, Miss. (March 9, 2003) - A three-run pinch hit home run from Southern Miss' Matt Benson won the game today for the Eagles as the ten-run rule was invoked and Southern Miss defeated the Indians of Southeast Missouri 14-2. The win moves USM's record to 11-4 while the Tribe drops to 3-7.

Before the game had even started, Southeast was playing with heavy hearts as they were dealing with a serious injury to senior pitcher Adam Sherry. Sherry, a righty from Ste. Genevieve, was crossing highway 49 in front of the team hotel in Hattiesburg, when a car struck and injured the pitcher. He suffered leg and head injuries that required surgery and he was transported via helicopter to Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans. He is in stable condition.

Southeast then lost senior pitcher Donnie Fuller in the fourth inning when he dove for an errant throw near the Southern Miss dugout, falling into the wall. He dislocated his shoulder and lacerated his ear. He too was taken to a local hospital where his ear was patched up and had work done on his shoulder.

Amidst the tragedy, a game was played today. Southeast gave up two runs in the first, seven in the second and two on the fourth, as well as a walk-off three run homer in the seventh. Sophomore lefty Jon Nourie started the game and pitched an inning giving up two runs, both earned and a hit, while striking out two and walking one. Junior lefty Stan Skakalski, Fuller, and freshman righty Brad Bumpus combined for the final six innings of work.

Southeast got its runs in the third and seventh. Sophomore designated hitter Eric Hoffman reached on a drop third strike. He then moved up to second on a ground out and freshman outfielder Aaron Fangman singled to center moving Hoffman to third. Hoffman then scored on a fielder's choice hit into by senior third baseman Denver Stuckey. The Tribe's final run came when senior Brian Hopkins was hit by a pitch in the seventh. Hoffman then singled down the right field line, advancing Hopkins to third. Junior center fielder Seth Moulton then reached on an error driving in Hopkins. The Tribe got a hit each from Hoffman, Fangman, senior shortstop Zach Borowiak, and junior first baseman Gary Gilbert. Borowiak had his fifth double of the year.

The Indians will now try to recompose themselves and gear up for their home opener scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Capaha Field against Middle Tennessee State. Also scheduled for this week is a game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Missouri and one on Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Saint Louis.