Box Score

Tuscaloosa, Ala. (June 1, 2002) - Eight total runs over four separate innings allowed the Owls from Florida Atlantic to send the Southeast Missouri State Indians baseball team to the losers bracket of the Regional tournament as they beat the Tribe, 12-6.

FAU got back to back home runs from right fielder L.J. Biernbaum, and first baseman Rusty Brown. Senior starter Brad Purcell gave up another single in the inning, but got the next three out by way of a fielder's choice and a 463 double play.

Southeast got its first run as lead-off man Denver Stuckey was hit by a pitch to lead off the third. He moved to second on a wild pitch and was sacrificed to third by junior left fielder Brian Hopkins. Stuckey was then sacrificed home on a deep fly right from senior second baseman Clemente Bonilla. Southeast would end the inning trailing 2-1.

With two runners on in the top of the fourth, freshman Eric Hoffman hit a line drive shot over the right field wall for his second home run in as many days. The score moved to 4-2 SEMO and was Hoffman's fourth jack of the season. Junior right fielder Ryan Govek and Stuckey both had back to back hits to put two runners on with one out in the inning.

Hopkins walked to load the bases and Bonilla singled to right scoring Govek, but Stuckey was thrown out at home trying to score. Bonilla moved up to second on the throw. Senior center fielder Vern Hatton grounded out to end the inning, but the Tribe pushed across four runs to take a 5-2 lead.

FAU got a run in the bottom of the fourth as an error by junior shortstop Zach Borowiak and a two singles led to the run. A double led to another run for the Owls. Second baseman Derek Hutton hit a liner to center to sacrifice in the tying run.

Purcell allowed a single and a walk to start the fifth inning and was relieved by senior Mark Frazier. Frazier struck out the first batter he faced for the second out of the inning, but allowed a single to right to score centerfielder Gabe Somarriba from second. DH Matt Pali singled to left to score another run making the tally 7-5. Frazier recovered to strike out the third batter of the inning, but FAU scored two in the inning.

Govek and Stuckey got on base in the sixth via a hit batsmen and a walk. A single from Bonilla scored one run, but that was all the Tribe could get in the inning as they moved the score to 7-6.

FAU got three more runs in the bottom of the seventh as a single scored one run and catcher Shaen O'Connor hit a home run over the left field fence to make the score 10-6 after seven.

FAU scored two more times in the eighth to bring the score to 12-6.

The game would end in that score as FAU advanced to the Championship game to face the winner of the Southeast - Alabama game Saturday night.

Southeast got three RBI's each from Hoffman and Bonilla. Govek scored twice.

Senior pitcher Mark Frazier had three innings of relief for the Tribe. He allowed five runs, three earned, striking out five and walking one. Junior Andy Davidson recorded the final two outs of the game.

Southeast now moves on to face Alabama tonight at 7:06 p.m. in an elimination game.