Redhawks (6-3) at Memphis (7-1)
Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2
5 p.m., 5 p.m. 1 p.m.
Memphis, Tenn.
FedExPark
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser: 32-36, second season
Daron Schoenrock: tenth season
Radio: ESPN 1220 AM
Play-by-Play: Todd Bonacki
Audio Webcast: ESPN1220.com
Live Stats: GoTigersGo.com
Live Video: GoTogersGo.com
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri | Memphis
 
Shipping off the Memphis
The Southeast Missouri baseball team will head to Memphis for a showdown with the Memphis Tigers this weekend. The Tigers came to Cape last season in the regular-season finale; the Redhawks took 2-of-3 from Memphis and a rivalry was reborn. The teams had not met since 2008. Memphis is 7-1 on the season thus far, including a three-game sweep of Western Michigan and a win over nationally-ranked Mississippi State. All games will be broadcast on ESPN 1220 AM. The Redhawks and Tigers will also keep an eye on the weather this weekend as rain is in the forecast for Friday and Sunday.
 
Let's Review
Going in to Tuesday's game at Arkansas State, the Redhawks had a four-game winning streak on the line. Southeast came out hot against the Red Wolves in the first inning but Arkansas State got hot and took an 8-3 decision from the Redhawks. Alex Winkelman suffered his second loss of the season in the game. The Redhawk bullpen, which has been so good all season, allowed four runs to cross the plate; the most in a game this season. The Redhawks left nine men on base in the contest, many in scoring position.
 
OVC Pitcher of the Week
Tyler Iago earned his first Ohio Valley Conference weekly honor Monday. Iago improved to 2-0 on the season by striking out nine and not allowing a run in six innings of Friday's 18-0 victory over IPFW. The junior scattered three hits (one in each of the first three innings) and walked only one batter. After allowing a single to start the third inning, Iago retired the final 11 batters he faced, including striking out the side in the sixth inning, before leaving the game. Iago also ranks among the best pitchers in the league with a 1.50 ERA this season.
 
The Pen is Mightier
The Redhawks bullpen has been stellar so far this season. In 38.1 innings out of the pen, Redhawk pitchers have given up only 13 runs to opponents. The bullpen's ERA this season is 3.05. Southeast also has four saves this season, a league-best. All four saves belong to Garret Stockton.
 
Speed Racers
Southeast Missouri currently leads the OVC in stolen bases. Southeast is 15-of-18 on the base paths in 2014. Belmont is 13-of-19 attempts. Jason Blum currently has three to his name while five other Redhawks all have two each. The Redhawks also lead the conference in stolen bases per game (1.67).
 
League Rankings
Among the OVC, the Redhawks rank third in batting (.299 batting average) and fielding (.968 fielding pct.) and rank fifth in pitching (3.69 ERA). The pitching staff is holding opponents to a .257 batting average and also leads the league in batters struck out looking (25).
 
OVC Preseason Poll
The Southeast Missouri Redhawks were picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2014. The Redhawks had no picks to the Preseason All-OVC team. Southeast Missouri was picked eighth in 2013 but exceeded expectations in Steve Bieser's first year as head coach as the team finished sixth overall. With the No. 6 seed in the tournament, the Redhawks went 2-2 before being eliminated. Southeast Missouri finished the season 26-33.
 
Preseason All-American
Junior second baseman Jason Blum was named Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball newspaper on Dec. 23. Blum started all 59 games for the Redhawks and hit .323 with 21 doubles, 33 RBI, and nine stolen bases.
 
College Sports Madness Preseason
CollegeSportsMadness.com released their Preseason All-OVC team Saturday. Derek Gibson was named First Team while Matt Tellor, Jason Blum, and Dalton Hewitt were all named Second Team.
 
2014 Roster Breakdown
The 2014 roster is compiled of 35 men. Seven seniors are featured on the team but only five of which are returners. Of 14 juniors, seven are transfers to the team in 2014. The roster is rounded out by eight sophomores and six freshman. 19 players on the team are from right here in Missouri.
 
What's on Tap?
Southeast Missouri will use this trip to Memphis and a home mid-week series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff as a final tune up before opening OVC play against Belmont Mar. 7-9 at home. Arkansas-Pine Bluff will come to Cape March 4 and 5.