Box Score | PDF Box Score
 
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Junior pitcher Travis Hayes headlined a Redhawks 7-1 victory over Morehead State (11-12, 4-5 OVC) Sunday. Southeast avoided the sweep by the Eagles after dropping the first two games of the series. Southeast Missouri holds on to first place in the Ohio Valley Conference as they improve to 14-9, 7-2 in league play.
 
Hayes (3-0) pitched seven complete innings, allowing only one run on three hits. Between the second and sixth innings, Hayes retired 14 of 16 batters he faced, allowing only two base runners, both on walks, in the sixth inning.
 
"Travis was outstanding today. He has been excellent for us all season and that stems from his ability to change up his speed and throw excellent off-speed pitches," said head coach Steve Bieser. 
 
Morehead scored their lone run in the first inning. Ryan Kent drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Rawe.
 
The Redhawks tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Jason Blum drew a leadoff walk of his own, was awarded second base on a balk by Willie Sligh, then scored on an RBI single by Dalton Hewitt to tie the game at one run each after the opening stanza.
 
The Redhawks scored three runs in the fourth and sixth innings to secure the win.
 
With runners on the corners in the fourth, Andy Lennington doubled down the left field line to drive Matt Tellor in from third. With Scott Mitchell parked on third, Andy Lack grounded out to the second baseman to advance Mitchell home and Lennington to third. Clayton Evans scored Lennington with a single to left. Southeast was up 4-1 after four innings.
 
Tellor and Mitchell each singled to right to kick off the sixth inning. They both advanced on a sac bunt from Lennington. Lack hit a dribbler to the left side that the fielder threw home in an attempt to get Tellor at home; Tellor snuck a hand around the tag to score on Lack's RBI fielder's choice. With two runners on, a costly two-out throwing error by the shortstop allowed Mitchell and Lack to both score, putting the Redhawks out in front 7-1.
 
After being held to a run and three hits in game two, Southeast Missouri returned the favor in the series finale as Morehead had only three hits in the game. The Redhawks had eight hits of their own.
 
Bieser added, "Overall, our approaches were better today. We are a much better offensive team than what we showed this series but we need to make sure our guys are continuing to play at the team level."
 
Mitchell claimed three of Southeast's eight hits after going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Tellor was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Lack was 0-for-2 with two RBI, two walks, and two stolen bases.
 
"Scotty is without a doubt playing great team ball. He just understands it and is a solid hitter. If he starts to change his game, he will start to go down hill but I don't see him doing that. He takes what the opponent gives him and he does a very good job of it.
 
"Andy [Lack] has his swagger back that he had at the high school level. He struggled with that last season and he got off to a slow start this year but now his confidence is there. If he continues to play like he is now, that will be a big bonus for our team. He made some great plays today that he made look routine."
 
Nick Newell, Chris Robinson, and Bobby Burns were the only Eagles with hits Sunday.
 
Sligh (0-2) was the loser for Morehead after giving up four runs on five hits in four and two thirds innings.
 
Southeast Missouri will head to No. 18 Mississippi State Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. showdown with the Bulldogs.
 
"Anytime we go out and play, we expect to win, no matter who the opponent is. If we play well, we will have a chance to win. Either way, there will be a lot of excitement at the game."