Southeast Missouri (6-6, 0-0 OVC) vs. Belmont (6-6, 0-0 OVC)
Friday, March 7-Sunday, March 9
4 p.m., 3 p.m., 1 p.m.
Nashville, Tenn.
E.S. Rose Park
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser: 32-39, second season
Dave Jarvis: 478-417-1, 17th season
Radio: ESPN 1220 AM
Play-by-Play: Erik Sean
Audio Webcast: ESPN1220.com
Live Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri | Memphis
 
Let OVC Play Begin
The 2014 Ohio Valley Conference season will begin around the league this weekend. Southeast Missouri and Belmont will face off in the OVC opener for the second-straight season. The Redhawks and Bruins went head-to-head five times last season. The Bruins prevailed in the regular-season, taking 2-of-3 from Southeast on their home turf; but Southeast got revenge in the OVC Tournament, defeating Belmont twice and eliminating them from the post season. The teams were slated to compete in Cape Girardeau this season but snow and icy conditions at Capaha Field forced the series to be moved to Nashville, Tenn. Southeast will have the home team advantage in the series. All three games can be heard on ESPN 1220 AM.
 
Let's Review
After coming off a four-game winning streak, the Redhawks dropped four-in-a-row the following week. Southeast fell at Arkansas State then went to Memphis and was swept by the Tigers in a three-game series. Weather has been a nagging issue for Southeast lately as the Memphis series was changed due to rain, a midweek series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff at home was cancelled, and now the OVC opener with Belmont has been moved to Nashville.
 
Friday Night Special
Friday night starter Tyler Iago has been stellar on the mound as Southeast's game one weekend starter. Iago's 1.72 ERA is fourth-best in the OVC. Iago is sporting a 2-1 record through 15.2 innings of work. Iago is also working a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio this season with 9.19 strikeouts per game. His 16 strikeouts ties for fourth-most in the league. Iago also has a 1.40 WHIP this season.
 
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?
After OVC play commences, Southeast Missouri will welcome the Missouri State Bears to town for a midweek game on Tuesday, Mar. 11. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Capaha Field. The Redhawks will then travel to Richmond, Ky. for a showdown with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, Mar. 14-16.