March 9, 2000

Box Score

By Jeff Breer ~ Southeast Missourian

Three Bourbon shots were entirely too much for the Missouri Tigers to handle on a windy Wednesday afternoon at Capaha Field.

With Indian catcher Jeff Bourbon enjoying his second three home run game in an Indian uniform, Southeast overcame a shaky start to defeat the visiting Tigers 14-8.

Indian left-fielder Charlie Marino added two homers and four RBIs as Southeast (9-4) shook off a recent slump with 15 hits. Four of the five Indian home runs took advantage of a brisk tail wind as they exited over the right-field fence, much to the delight of Southeast coach Mark Hogan.

Hogan had seen his team score just five runs in its last two games, as it repeatedly grounded out to the left side in a pair of losses to Mississippi.

"Ole Miss was frustrating because we pulled virtually ever ball," said Hogan.

The last couple of practices Hogan stressed hitting to the right side.

"I've been waiting for our offense," said Hogan. "We've had the pitching and the defense. I believe we're going to be very good offensively and today was a good indication of the type of offense we're going to be."

Bourbon and Marino, both right-handed batters, were trying to execute their coach's teachings when they hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning to right field.

"You're supposed to look away and adjust in," said Marino. "That's the way every hitter is taught."

Marino added that Hogan's teachings were punctuated by a mandated run if a player hit a ball to the left side in practice.

Bourbon, who had just two home runs this season entering the game, had been among those hitting to the left side.

"I've been having trouble staying back," said Bourbon. "We've had a couple of days where we've been working on going away, away, away."

The execution and along with a wind which appeared to have been ordered by Hogan, paid dividends.

After Missouri (9-8) had taken a 3-0 lead off Indian starter Tommy Thomas in the top of the first, Southeast answered with six runs off losing pitcher Ralph McCasland, one of four Tiger pitchers used on the day. Three runs came on Marino's second home run of the season and Bourbon followed with a solo shot.

The Tigers added three more runs in the second to tie the score 6-6, but Bourbon put the Indians ahead for good in the third inning with another opposite-field blast, a two run shot for an 8-6 lead.

Bourbon doubled in a two-run fifth and added a three-run shot to left field in the sixth that put Southeast ahead 14-7.

"We didn't play with very good intensity," said Missouri coach Tim Jamieson. "You have to give them credit. They made better decisions in every aspect of the game."

Added Jamieson, "They did a good job of using the wind and adjusting and we didn't. All of their home runs I remember were hit right-handed. That's just good mechanics at the plate."

Marino finished with three hits and Kevin Meyer, Clemente Bonilla and Jeremy Johnson all finished with two.

The season-high run total made a winner of Brandon Smith, who relieved Thomas in the second. Smith, one of five pitchers used by the Indians, allowed three hits in 4 1-3 innings, striking out three and walking one. He was followed to the mound by Jeffrey Hilz, Andy Davidson and Augie Casson.

Shortstop Ryan Stegall, who had four RBIs, had four of Missouri's nine hits, including a pair of doubles.