March 28, 2005

Southeast Missouri State University welcomes the Indians of Arkansas State for a mid-week contest Tuesday, March 29 at Capaha Field at 3:00 p.m. Southeast won both games last season against Arkasas State. Southeast leads the all-time series 20-16.

Scouting Southeast

The Redhawks are coming off their OVC opener against Murray State where the Racers took 2 of 3 games. In game one, the Redhawks lost 7-6 in 13 innings. The bats came alive in game two with Southeast getting the victory 15-10. In game three, the Redhawks lost 7-6.

Eric Horstman extended his team-high hitting streak to 13 games. Horstman is hitting .329, with 5 RBIs and 14 runs scored. Horstman leads the Redhawks with five stolen bases in seven attempts.

Chris Gibson went 4-7 with four RBIs on Saturday against Murray State. Gibson is hitting .270, with eight RBIs and four stolen bases.

Ernie Bracamonte went 7-14, with four RBIs and five runs scored against Murray State. Bracamonte is hitting .282, with 8 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Casey Johnson (1-1) is the probable starter for the Redhawks. Johnson has an ERA of 3.00 in 9.0 innings pitched.

Scouting Arkansas State

The Indians enter Tuesday's game with a record of 18-8. The Indians have won five of their last six games. Most recently Arkansas State defeated Florida International 13-12.

The Indians are led offensivley by Geoff Desmond. The senior infielder is hitting .390, with 36 RBIs and 8 home runs.

Junior infielder Brett Kinning is hitting .343, with 13 RBIs and 20 runs scored. Kinning has 9 steals in 10 attempts.

Stephen Tharp (1-0) is the probable starter for Arkansas State. Tharp has an ERA of 3.90 in 27.2 innings pitched. Opponents are batting .264 against Tharp.

As a team the Indians are hitting .306 with 24 homeruns.

Keith Kessinger is in his 3rd year as head coach at Arkansas State.

Last season Southeast won a 12-9 contest in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Horstman went 4-6 with four RBIs. Bryan Kurt pitched-in with a 3-5 three RBI performance.