JONESBORO, Ark. (4-22-2008) ? The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (17-16) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two and one-half innings and went on to defeat the Arkansas State Indians 12-3 Tuesday night in a non-conference game at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.
The Warhawks used an RBI single from third baseman Zak Blemker and a two-run home run from right fielder Blake Slattery in the second to put the first three runs on the board. Blemker drove in two more runs to highlight the Redhawks' three-run effort in the third.
The Indians (16-25) got on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. Right fielder Jett Jones doubled to lead off the frame for the Tribe, followed by a double from center fielder Derrick Coleman to score Jones. An RBI single later in the inning from junior second baseman Brandon Eller sent Coleman home to cut the SEMO lead to 6-2, but the Redhawks matched the Indian effort with two in the fourth to go up 8-2
The Redhawks added another run in the fifth and three more eighth to stretch the SEMO lead to 12-2 before the Tribe scored its final run in the eighth.
Freshman catcher Cade Baxter doubled to start the eighth for Arkansas State and scored on a ground-out from pinch-hitter Danny Riemenschneider to set the final at 12-3.
Sophomore Ryan Blackburn (0-1) took the loss on the mound for ASU, giving up six runs on eight hits in two and two-thirds innings. Blackburn recorded one strikeout and no walks on the night.
Senior Ivan Nails (2-3) picked up the win for SEMO. Nails gave up two runs on seven hits, with four strikeouts and a walk in four innings of work.
Coleman went 3-for-4 to lead ASU at the plate, while center fielder Tyrell Cummings went 4-for-5 to lead Southeast Missouri State.
The Indians will be back in action Wednesday night when they host the 21st-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Wednesday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
