May 5, 2005

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Wednesday, May 04, 2005) Southeast Missouri State was out-hit, out-pitched, and out-run by the Purple Aces of the University of Evansville on Wednesday night. The Redhawks surrendered 13 runs on 20 base hits to the Purple Aces in a 13-6 loss.

Each mark put up by Evansville (31-14) tied a season-high for runs and hits allowed in a game by Southeast; the Aces matched the 13 run, 20 hit performance by Samford earlier this season. Each spot in the batting order added at least one hit to the equation. The only starter for Evansville without a base hit was designated hitter Kip Simon. The aces were also a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts.

Southeast (16-27) also only had one starter without a base hit in the ball game, as they countered with a 10 hit performance. Eric Horstman led the way for Southeast, setting the table as the leadoff man with a 2-for-4 performance that included a triple and three RBIs.

The Redhawks were the first to score with a run in the first inning. Ernie Bracamonte, Freddy Lopez, and Frankie Montiel hit three consecutive one-out singles to start things off. Montiel's single plated Bracamonte for the first run of the ball game.

Evansville jumped out to a quick lead in the second inning. With Dustin Knight on second after a double, the Purple Aces strung together five consecutive two-out singles to plate four runs in the inning.

Southeast answered right back in their half of the second. Jim Clayton and Bo Jenkins led off with back-to-back singles. Horstman drove both runners in with a line drive down the right field line that resulted in a stand-up triple. Southeast managed to tie it at four when Bracamonte followed the triple with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Redhawks' three-run second inning put an end to a rough outing for Evansville starter Cal Stanke, and Casey Johnson faced similar bad fortune as Southeast's starter.

Stringing together three singles in the third Evansville re-took the lead by adding two more runs to the board. By the time his outing was complete, Johnson pitched five innings and gave up seven earned runs as the Aces added another in the fifth inning. He did, however, strike out seven batters while issuing only one free pass.

Trailing 6-4, Southeast cut the lead in half with one run in the fourth. Clayton led the inning off with a single up the middle, and moved to second on a ground out to the pitcher. Horstman then picked up his third RBI of the ball game with a single to left field.

After Evansville answered with a run in the fifth, the Redhawks took it back in the bottom half when Brent Lawson parked a solo home run to left to make the score 6-7. The homer was his second of the season.

However, Southeast was unable to muster hardly any offense the rest of the game. Ace's Reliever Kai Tuomi settled down after allowing Southeast to score their second run on his watch. He retired the next nine consecutive Redhawks batters after Lawson. Tuomi and Mitch Prout, who pitched the ninth for the Aces, combined to allow only two base runners after the home run in the fifth.

While the Redhawks were being quieted at the plate, Evansville only added to the damage. The Aces roughed up reliever Josh Parham for three runs in the sixth inning, and Parham was burdened with another earned run in the seventh. They added two more runs in the ninth off of Lawson, who came on as the fourth pitcher of the evening for SEMO.

The third pitcher of the night for SEMO, Matt Carter, was effective in only his fifth appearance of the season. Carter threw two shutout innings, allowing only two hits.

Evansville's Kai Tuomi picked up the win in the ball game. He pitched six innings, allowed two earned runs on four hits. He struck out five Redhawk batters.

Horstman's 2-4 performance extended his hitting streak to 13 games. It was also his 15th multiple hit game of the season.

With his home run in the fifth, Lawson has now hit safely in the last six consecutive ballgames he has played.

Bracamonte and Horstman made their 100th consecutive Redhawks start in tonight's ballgame. Neither has missed a game in their careers at Southeast.

Jordan Payne celebrated his 21st birthday with a good day at the plate. He was 1-for-3 with a single and a walk.

Jim Clayton had an impressive day at the plate as well. Clayton had two singles in his three at bats, and scored both times he reached base.

Southeast will resume conference play this weekend with a home series against Morehead State. The two teams will match up for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. They will complete the series with a single game on Sunday afternoon.

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