Southeast Missouri (14-10, 7-2 OVC) at UT Martin (3-19, 2-7 OVC)
Friday, March 28 - Sunday March, 30
3, 3, 1 p.m.
Martin, Tenn.
Skyhawk Park
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser: 40-43, second season
Brad Goss: second season
Radio: Fri., Sun.: ESPN 1220 AM; Sat.: ESPN 92.9 FM
Play-by-Play: Erik Sean
Audio Webcast: ESPN1220.com, SEMOESPN.com
Live Stats: UTMSports.com
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
Battle of the Hawks
After an impressive performance by the Southeast Missouri baseball team at No. 16 Mississippi State Tuesday, the Redhawks return to Ohio Valley Conference action at UT Martin this weekend. Southeast looks to hold on to first-place in the OVC standings after one month of league play. Friday's game time has been moved up to a 3 p.m. start due to the threat of rain Friday evening. Friday and Sunday's games can be heard in ESPN 1220 AM while fans can hear Saturday's broadcast on ESPN 92.9 FM.
 
Let's Review
The Redhawks went to No. 16 Mississippi State Tuesday for a midweek showdown with a very good Southeastern Conference opponent. Derek Gibson gave Southeast a lead in the fifth inning on a two-RBI single. The game was tied at two going to the bottom of the ninth inning. With a Bulldog runner on second and one out, a hit and an error in shallow center field allowed the winning run score in walk-off fashion. Alex Winkelman was stellar on the mound in six and a third innings for the Redhawks. The Redhawks looked to stay perfect in OVC play last weekend but Morehead State got the better of Southeast on the Redhawks' home turf. Game one against the Eagles proved a nail biter as the game went extra innings. The Eagles prevailed in the 11-inning game, 9-8. Morehead held the Redhawks to one run on three hits in game two. The Redhawks avoided the sweep with a 7-1 win over the Eagles Sunday. This time, Morehead was held to only one run on three hits as Travis Hayes pitched a gem to start the game for Southeast.
 
Against the Skyhawks
Last season, UT Martin came to Cape and Southeast Missouri swept the Skyhawks in the three-game series. Since the 2007 season, the Redhawks hold a 17-3 record over the Skyhawks. All-time against UT Martin, the Redhawks hold a hefty 50-16-1 advantage.
 
Statistical Rankings
The Redhawks rank nationally in a number of statistical categories as of March 23. After falling to .306, the team batting average is ranked 20th in the nation. It was 13th the week prior. Scott Mitchell's .444 batting average is tied for eighth-best in the country. He is tied with Daniel Miles from Tennessee Tech. Southeast is also the 24th-highest scoring team in the nation with 161 runs scored this season. Defensively, the Redhawks have the fourth-most double plays turned in the country with 28. Seven of which came just last week.
 
What's on Tap?
The Redhawks will return home for a five-game home stand, their longest of the season, after the series at UT Martin. The home-and-home series with Arkansas State will wrap up on April 1 with a game under the lights at 6 p.m. SIUE will come to Cape for a three-game OVC series April 4-6. April 5 will be the first free tailgate of the season at Capaha. The home stand will wrap with a showdown with regional rival Southern Illinois April 8. Tuesday's game against the Salukis will also be a free tailgate.