Southeast Missouri State University baseball player Kenton Parmley's 47-game hitting streak ended on Sunday in a 3-1 win against Tennessee Tech.

The streak tied the third longest in NCAA Division I history and is an Ohio Valley Conference record. The longest previous OVC streak was 42 games, which Parmley broke in a 9-4 victory against Morehead State on April 14.

"I mean, basically, confidence is what has helped me through everything," Parmley said. "I'm going up to the plate just confident I can get a hit.

"I mean, I've got the experience down. I just have to play confident through every at-bat and just envision myself getting a hit, and I think that's what has helped me succeed this year."

Parmley's hitting streak is one part of a strong year at the plate. He has a .410 batting average, 7 home runs, 29 RBIs and a .476 on-base percentage. He said that his success is due to his experience from three years as a starter.

"The experience part has taught me that last year I pressed a lot, and this year I'm not pressing," Parmley said. "I'm just out there having fun, going through the motions and, I mean, just enjoying the game of baseball while I can."

Southeast coach Mark Hogan said he is glad to have been able to watch Parmley's hitting streak.

"All of it is wonderful," Hogan said. "He's worked very hard and for him to do what he's doing is amazing."

Although Parmley is having a good year personally, the team is tied for eighth place in the OVC. The top six teams make the OVC Tournament. Southeast is 5-10 in the OVC with 12 conference games left.

"So far, the biggest struggle has been having a losing season," Parmley said. "I mean, this is the most I ever lost. I've never had a losing season in my career, and I've never been on a losing team."

Hogan said he has seen Parmley develop into a good leader from his freshman year to his senior year.

"He has been a four-year starter and has done a heck of a job," Hogan said. "He will go down as one of the all-time players, and his hit streak will be part of his resumé."

Parmley hopes the team can make it to the conference tournament.

"I just hope we pick up a few key wins on the weekend, a couple sweeps, and that will help us get in the conference tournament and hopefully make some noise in it," Parmley said.