Box Score

Fayetteville, Ark. (May 16, 2002) - A superb pitching performance from senior Brad Purcell and home runs from junior third baseman Denver Stuckey and junior catcher Tristen McDonald helped the Southeast Missouri State baseball complete a sweep of the University of Arkansas Wednesday, 5-4.

Purcell pitched seven innings allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out three. Purcell moved his overall record to 10-2 on the year and lowered his ERA to 3.02. Senior Brandon Smith pitched the final two innings to record the save, his first of the year.

Southeast was led offensively by Stuckey, who started the game off with a deep shot over the left field bullpen. He went 4-5 and ended up a triple short of the cycle. That was his fifth home run of the season, his first leading off a game. McDonald added a home run over the left center fence in the sixth.

Stuckey started things off in the first inning by swinging at the first pitch from Razorback pitcher Clint Brannon and driving the ball over the bullpen in left. Southeast got another run in the third as Stuckey started things off again by doubling down the left field line. Junior shortstop Zach Borowiak then singled to left scoring Stuckey.

Senior centerfielder Vern Hatton started off the sixth inning with a single to right. McDonald then followed up with a long home run over the 400 mark in left center. McDonald had been robbed of another dinger an at bat earlier by Hog right fielder Ryan Fox as Fox went over the fence in right center to record the out.

Junior right fielder Ryan Govek walked to start the seventh after fouling off three 3-2 pitches. Stuckey singled behind him advancing Govek to second. Senior second baseman Clemente Bonilla then came up and singled up the middle to score Govek and record his 216th career hit at Southeast, putting him in third place, one shy of second held by Jeff Bourbon.

Arkansas would get three late runs to pull within one, but couldn't get it done as Smith shut down the Hogs to record his third career save at Southeast.

The Indians now prepare for a trip to Morehead, Kentucky this weekend to take on the Eagles of Morehead State. They will play two games on Saturday beginning at noon and a single affair on Sunday also at noon. They then head out to Paducah, Kentucky on Monday for the OVC Tournament. Southeast will play in either the 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. game on Wednesday.