Southeast Missouri (18-10, 10-2 OVC)
vs. SIUE (10-16, 8-4 OVC)
Friday, April 4 - Sunday April 6
5, 2, 1 p.m.
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Capaha Park
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser: 44-43, second season
Tony Stoecklin: 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: Game One | Game Two | Game Three
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
Free Tailgate: Saturday, April 5
            Provided by Jimmy John's and Kohlfeld Distributing
 
Combat with the Cougars
Going in to last weekend, Southeast Missouri and SIUE were tied for first-place in the Ohio Valley Conference. This week, the Redhawks have sole possession of first-place while the Cougars are tied for third with Tennessee Tech. The reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week, Ryan Daniels, will start against the Redhawks Friday evening. Saturday will be the first FREE tailgate of the season at Capaha Field. Jimmy John's and Kohlfeld Distributing will be providing free food and drinks to Redhawk fans.
 
Looking Back
Southeast Missouri opened last week with a 3-2 loss at No. 16 Mississippi State, losing on a walk-off single and error in the ninth inning. The Redhawks then returned to Conference play and swept UT Martin to improve to 10-2 in the OVC and take over sole possession of first place; Southeast now has a one game lead over Jacksonville State. During the three-game series with UTM, Southeast gave up just four total runs, all of which were unearned. The Redhawks returned home for a game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Redhawks shutout ASU, 7-0. Christian Hull pitched four innings in relief, striking out seven batters and picking up his second victory of the season.
 
National Player of the Week
Matt Tellor was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week as well as one of Louisville Slugger's National Players of the Week and the NCAA's Top Performers. Tellor smashed four home runs in four games last week including three in Sunday's 11-1 victory over UT Martin. For the week the first baseman hit .562 (9-for-16) with nine runs scored, three doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, a 1.500 slugging percentage and a .650 on-base percentage. He opened the week with a double and two walks in a one-run loss at No. 16 Mississippi State; in that game he missed a first inning home run by mere feet. He opened the UTM series by going 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBI and was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in the middle game of the series. He capped the week with the three home-run performance, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and five RBI. Tellor leads the OVC in home runs (9), is second in RBI (33) and fourth in runs scored (28).
 
Make them Earn It
Southeast Missouri baseball has not allowed an earned run in 37.2 innings. The last earned run the Redhawks gave up was in the seventh inning of the Mississippi State game. The Bulldogs walked off in the ninth but scored on an error to end the game. UT Martin scored four runs on the weekend, all of which were unearned.
 
March Mayhem
The Redhawks concluded the month of March 12-6. After dropping a doubleheader at Memphis to open the month, the Redhawks went on a seven-game winning streak. The Redhawks also opened OVC play 10-2 with three conference series sweeps. Derek Gibson went on a tear during the seven-game win streak, being named OVC Player of the Week during back-to-back weeks. Matt Tellor wrapped up the month with a bang as he was named OVC Player of the Week and Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.
 
Statistical Rankings
As of Monday, March 31, the Redhawks' .305 team batting average ranked 19th in the nation. The Redhawks have turned the fourth-most double plays (32) in the nation. Southeast is the 14th-highest scoring team in the country with 196 runs while the team slugging percentage is ranked 18th. Matt Tellor is tied for third nationally with nine home runs while Derek Gibson's .426 batting average is good enough for 16th in DI college baseball.
 
What's on Tap?
The five-game home stand will wrap with a showdown with regional rival Southern Illinois April 8. Tuesday's game against the Salukis will be a free tailgate. The Redhawks then hit the road for four games; three with OVC foe Austin Peay then a day trip to Saint Louis on April 15.