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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - It was a team affair Friday evening in Southeast Missouri's 11-7 victory over Eastern Illinois (11-27, 5-12 OVC). This is the Redhawks' sixth Ohio Valley Conference series win of the season as they continue to climb to 27-11 and 17-3 in league play. 

A total of seven Redhawks had hits in the game with the top three of the lineup combining for 11 hits, nine runs, and seven RBI. Jason Blum was 4-for-4 with four runs scored; Dalton Hewitt was 5-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored; Matt Tellor was 2-for-3 with four RBI, two runs scored, and two sacrifice flies. 

"The top third our lineup was locked in tonight. They were seeing the ball well, they were patient to their pitches and they didn't go outside their zone. They trusted themselves, that was the biggest difference," said Steve Bieser. "They consistently set the tone for us tonight." 

With Tennessee Tech's win over Jacksonville State Friday, Southeast tightens their grip on first place in the OVC, taking a four and a half game lead on Jacksonville State. 

For the 25th time this season, the Redhawks touched home first in the game. Blum hit a leadoff infield single. He advanced to third on a single to center by Hewitt. A throw off the mark prompted Hewitt to try and take second but was out by a hair on the 7-1-6 putout. Tellor flew out to the center fielder, allowing Blum to tag up and score on the play. The Redhawks led 1-0 after one inning. 

Three consecutive singles by EIU in the third loaded the bases with no out. A single by Mitch Gasbarro singled to right to tie the game. The fifth Panther single in a row scored the go-ahead run. Brant Valach flew out to center for the first out of the inning but it was deep enough to score another run, giving EIU a 3-1 lead in the third. 

The Redhawks wasted no time taking back runs in the bottom of the inning. A one out walk and a single put runners on the corners. Hewitt stole second to put runners in scoring position for Tellor. Tellor flew out to center for his second sacrifice fly of the game to make the score 3-2. Derek Gibson climbed into the box and drilled the first pitch he saw to right field, scoring Hewitt and tying the game. 

With two out in the fourth inning, Ryan Lenaburg hit Caleb Howell to put runners on the corners. Lenaburg's day was done after three and two thirds innings. Skylar Cobb was brought in to pitch. An infield bunt single by Gasbarro plated Jason Scholl to take a 4-3 lead. Cobb took a hard fall on the mound on the third out of the inning and needed to be helped off the field. 

After the injury to Cobb, Brady Wright was brought in to pitch in the top of the fifth. Wright sent the Panthers down in order on a whole four pitches in the inning. 

Tellor recorded his third RBI of the day with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, once again tying the game, 4-4. 

Southeast regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Blum wore a pitch and Hewitt singled on a hit and run, Tellor singled to score Blum and retake the lead. Hewitt took third on the play then scored on a Gibson sacrifice fly to right field, putting Southeast out in front 6-4. 

With two out in the top of the seventh inning, Demetre Taylor doubled to right field. The speedy Taylor went to swipe third and a throw off the mark from catcher Scott Mitchell dribbled in to left field, allowing Taylor to score, unearned. EIU was within one run, 6-5, going to the bottom of the seventh. 

Cole Bieser wore a pitch with one out in the bottom of the inning. With the hit and run on, Blum singled through the right side, putting Bieser on third. Blum stole second. Both speedy runners scored on a single to left by Hewitt. After Tellor drew a walk and Gibson was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, Lennington drilled one through the left side to score both Hewitt and Tellor, giving the Redhawks a 10-5 lead. 

A single and a double to lead off the eighth inning put runners in scoring position for EIU. An RBI groundout made the score 10-6 in favor of Southeast. 

After another hit and run put runners on the corners in the bottom of the eighth, Hewitt put one up the middle, scoring Bieser. 11-6 Redhawks. 

Alex Siddle was brought in to pitch the ninth inning. EIU wasn't going down easy though. A leadoff walk followed by a one out double by Taylor scored EIU's seventh run. Taylor was awarded third on a balk by Siddle followed by another walk. But the Redhawks wrapped the game in true Redhawk fashion with a 1-6-3 double play, securing the 11-7 victory and Southeast's sixth conference series win. 

Besides Blum, Hewitt, and Tellor, Lennington was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Gibson added a hit with two RBI while Cole Ferguson and Bieser also had hits. 

Wright picked up his second win of the season, improving to 2-0. This was his first OVC victory. Wright worked a season-high four innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits. Wright fanned a season-best four batters. 

Bieser added, "Brady was the difference in this ball game. We needed him to come in and work longer than he normally does, not only pitch-wise, but inning-wise. He did an outstanding job tonight. We need to start working on getting our starters to work past the fourth inning. Ryan has had a tough time the last couple outings and I know he will work on that."

Gasbarro and Taylor each had three hits with two RBI each while John Devito had two hits for the Panthers. 

Jaden Widdersheim (2-2) recorded the loss. Widdersheim pitched one inning, giving up the go-ahead run. Jake Johansmeier, the starter, went four innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. 

The Redhawks will go for the sweep Saturday at 1 p.m. Travis Hayes will have the ball for the Redhawks. Saturday will also be the Third Annual Bark in the Park. Mississippi Mutts will sponsor free dog treats and contests throughout the game.