Southeast Missouri (21-10) vs. Southern Illinois (17-14)
Tuesday, April 8
5 p.m.
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Capaha Park
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser: 47-43, second season
Ken Henderson: fourth season
Radio: ESPN 92.9 FM
Play-by-Play: Erik Sean
Audio Webcast: SEMOESPN.com
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
Regional Rivalry with Southern Illinois
Southeast Missouri will wrap its five-game home stand Tuesday with a 5 o'clock game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Capaha Park. Southeast Missouri will look to extend their winning streak to eight games. Southeast swept SIUE over the weekend to tie a season-best winning streak of seven games. The game can be heard live on ESPN 92.9 FM.
 
Looking Back
It was a thrilling weekend for the Redhawks. After winning a non-conference game against Arkansas State in shutout fashion Tuesday, the Redhawks were primed and ready for a hot SIUE team to come to Cape. SIUE battled the first two games after being down 7-3 in both games. They put up four late-inning runs in both games to tie the score at seven. On Friday, Cole Ferguson knocked in Andy Lennington to walk off in the tenth inning. It was Lennington's turn Saturday as he had an almost identical hit to score Jason Blum in the bottom of the ninth. The Redhawks closed an exciting weekend Sunday as Travis Hayes threw a complete game and Derek Gibson hitting an eighth inning grand slam to put the exclamation point on Southeast's fourth OVC series sweep of the season.
 
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.
 
Valley to Valley
Ohio Valley Conference teams are 6-19 this season against Missouri Valley teams. One of those wins belongs to Southeast Missouri when they defeated Missouri State March 11, 6-5.
 
Hurts So Good
Jason Blum is quickly catching up to Trenton Moses for being hit by a pitch in the span of a career. The record, held by Moses, is 49 while Blum, a junior, has been clunked 41 times, second in the career standings. Cole Bieser is also rising the in the ranks of earning a bruise as he is now ranked tied for ninth with 23. Bieser is the team leader this season with 10.
 
Statistical Rankings
As of Monday, April 7, the Redhawks' .307 team batting average ranked 13th in the nation. The Redhawks have turned the seventh-most double plays (35) in the nation. Southeast is the 11th-highest run producing team in the country with 231 runs while the team .427 slugging percentage is ranked 18th. The Redhawks are also ranked 8th in stolen bases (58). Matt Tellor is tied for fourth nationally with nine home runs while Derek Gibson's .415 batting average is good enough for 16th in DI college baseball while he is fourth in RBI with 39.
 
What's on Tap?
After a five-game home stand, the longest of the season, Southeast Missouri hits the road once again. The Redhawks head to Clarksville, Tenn. to face a historically good Austin Peay team. The Govs lost key players from last season's tournament championship team and start the most freshmen in the nation. After the series with APSU, the Redhawks will close their home-and-home series with Saint Louis April 15.