Southeast Missouri 4 JSU 1 - Box Score / Photo Gallery

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sixth-seeded Southeast Missouri (22-34) scored three runs in the sixth inning to propel a 4-1 victory over third-seeded Jacksonville State (26-29) Wednesday night in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. It is the Redhawks first win in the opening round of the OVC Tournament since 2008.

“To win with a really young ball club and a great group of seniors is unbelievable,” said head coach Mark Hogan.

Southeast Missouri starter Will Spitzfaden finished the contest going four plus innings allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts. The true freshman got out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning to keep the game scoreless and set the tone for the rest of the evening. 

Christian Hull came in the game in-relief of Spitzfaden in the fifth frame and got out of a bases loaded jam allowing only one run on a broken bat single from Scott Underwood as the Gamecocks led 1-0 after five innings.
 
The Redhawks answered in the sixth inning with three runs. Senior Taylor Heon got Southeast on the board with an RBI single to right field scoring Kody Campbell.
 
Redshirt freshman Jason Blum loaded the bases with a pinch-hit walk and Kenton Parmley popped a ball to centerfield that was dropped by JSU's Michael Bishop as Southeast added two runs to take a 3-1 advantage.
 
The Redhawks added to their lead in the seventh inning. Derek Gibson opened the inning with a double off the right field fence. Andy Lennington followed with an RBI double to left centerfield to make it 4-1.
 
The Gamecocks once again loaded the bases in the eighth inning for the third time in the contest, but redshirt freshman outfielder Dalton Hewitt made a game saving diving catch to halt the JSU threat as the Redhawks took the contest, 4-1.

Campbell went 3-for-4 with a run scored and walk to pace the Redhawks offense.

Ryan Barnes was 2-for-4 with a run scored as he was the only other Redhawks to record a multi-hit game.

Redhawk head coach Mark Hogan presented the game ball to Southeast Missouri Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt following the game. Alnutt officially began his new position Monday.

Southeast advances to face OVC regular-season champion and top-seeded Austin Peay Thursday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m., CT, at Pringles Park.