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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Southeast Missouri scored in all innings except the ninth Friday evening, defeating Jacksonville State (22-18, 11-8 OVC) 11-6 in game one of the three-game series. The Redhawks are now 28-13, 18-4 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
 
The Redhawks remain three games in front of second-place Tennessee Tech in the league standings after both teams recorded wins Friday.
 
"We knew this was going to be a hard team to play," said head coach Steve Bieser. "They are a terrific ball club and we knew we could never let up because they would be ready to score at any time. We have to continue to keep that pressure on because they have a very high-powered offense as well.
 
"After Alex [Winkelman] found the strike zone and began to settle in, he really gave us a chance to fire the offense and put us in the game. He was outstanding on the mound for us tonight. I just wish he could've gone a little further in the game. When Matt [Tellor] swung the bat, he made good contact every time. He remained disciplined and he was able to attack strikes and that's what allowed him to be so successful at the plate."
 
For the 10^th game in a row, the Redhawks scored first in the game. With one out and Cole Bieser on, Matt Tellor climbed in the batter's box and blasted a mammoth home run to left, putting Southeast in front 2-0.
 
Redhawk starter Alex Winkelman was struggling to find the strike zone to begin the game. Three-straight walks loaded the bases to begin the Gamecock half of the first. Jacksonville scored on a much-needed double play. Another run scored on an error by Andy Lack, tying the game at 2-2.
 
Southeast was quick to take the two runs back in the top of the second with production from the bottom of the lineup. Cole Ferguson drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lack poked a single to the right center gap, scoring Ferguson. The centerfielder booted the ball on the play, allowing Lack to advance to second. Lack then scored on an RBI single up the middle by Clayton Evans to give Southeast Missouri a 4-2 lead in the top of the second. 
 
The Redhawks extended the lead just a touch in the top of the third. After blasting a monster home run in the first, Tellor doubled to left center. Derek Gibson extended his hitting and on base streaks to 18 games when he ripped an RBI double down the right field line, widening the lead to 5-2.
 
Evans drew a two-out walk in the top of the fourth. He stole second then scored on a blooper single by Jason Blum over a leaping third baseman. Blum advanced to second on a high throw by the left fielder to home. The Redhawks led 6-2 going to the bottom of the fourth.
 
The Redhawks' second error of the game immediately cost them a run. Andrew Bishop tripled to right center. The relay throw to third was off the mark, allowing Bishop to score on the play. The run remained unearned as Winkelman retired the next two batters. Southeast led 6-3 going to the fifth inning.
 
Southeast scored once again the fifth inning. Gibson singled to right and advanced to second on a passed ball. Andy Lennington threaded one up the middle, past a diving shortstop, scoring Gibson, and widening the lead to 7-3 over the Gamecocks.
 
Tellor pushed two more runs across in the sixth. Lack and Evans drew walks to lead off the inning, prompting Tony Urban to come in and pitch. Blum laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, followed by a walk to Bieser to load the bases. Tellor then singled to left, scoring Lack and Evans, making the score 9-3.
 
Three straight hits for Jacksonville to lead off the sixth scored a run for the Gamecocks. Winkelman struck out Joe McGuire for the first out and was then taken out of the game, relieved by Brady Wright. After a walk loaded the bases, Michael Bishop hit a high fly ball to deep left that Evans made a phenomenal over-the-shoulder catch on, allowing the runner on third to tag up and score, 9-5 Redhawks after six complete innings.
 
The Redhawks scored once again in the seventh inning on an Evans RBI single, scoring Dalton Hewitt. Redhawks went up 10-5.
 
With runners on the corners, Gibson sent a ball whizzing past the pitcher. The shortstop, A. Bishop, made a fantastic play to force Tellor out at second but couldn't get Gibson at first. Blum scored on the play. 11-5 Redhawks.
 
The only inning Southeast didn't score Friday evening was the ninth inning as the Redhawks went down in order in the frame.
 
Griff Gordon homered to right in the ninth inning to bring the score to 11-6.
 
Tellor finished 4-for-5, just a triple short of hitting for the cycle, with four RBI. Gibson, Lennington, and Lack all had two hits in the game. Lack and Gibson both had two RBI as well.
 
Winkelman continued to improve to 4-2 on the season with the victory. Winkelman pitched five and a third innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. Only three runs were earned. Wright recorded his second save after pitching three and two thirds innings in relief Friday evening. Wright allowed only one run on two hits. Winkelman fanned seven batters while Wright struck out five.
 
A. Bishop was a perfect 3-for-3 Friday. He was the only Gamecock hitter to have a multiple hit game.
 
Starter Adam Polk (4-2) recorded the loss. Polk only saw two and a third innings in the game. He allowed five runs on six hits.
 
The Redhawks and Gamecocks face off at 1 p.m. Saturday in game two. Travis Hayes will be on the mound for Southeast.