Southeast Missouri (28-15) vs. Missouri S&T (23-21)
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 • 5 p.m. • Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Head Coaches
Steve Bieser (91-68, Third Season)
Todd DeGraffenreid (11^th season)
Radio: SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM
Play-by-Play: Erik Sean, Jess Bolen
Audio Webcast: SEMOESPN.com
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball, @GoSoutheast
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
Southeast Missouri Probable Starting Pitcher
Tuesday – RHP Jacob Lawrence
 
Missouri S&T Probable Starting Pitcher
Tuesday – TBA
 
Redhawk Rundown
 
Redhawks, Racers Face Off This Weekend
The Southeast Missouri baseball team has picked up a midweek game against Missouri S&T Tuesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. from Capaha Field. Missouri S&T, a Division II program, is 23-21 on the season and 17-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Jacob Lawrence will make his third start of the season for Southeast Missouri. The game can be heard on SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM.
 
Upcoming Promotions this Weekend
Friday
• FREE Tailgate sponsored by Bluff City Beer Co.
• "Heroes at the Ballpark" - A celebration of everyday heroes (fire, police, armed forces). Kids encouraged to dress as favorite superhero.
• Rowdy's Kids Club Day - exclusive for Kids Club members
Saturday
• FREE Tailgate sponsored by River Eagle Distributing and Jimmy John's
Sunday
• Senior Day
• Bark in the Park sponsored by Mississippi Mutts
• FREE roll-up blanket for first 100 students
 
Let's Review
Southeast Missouri won their eighth conference series of the season this weekend with a series sweep of the Murray State Racers. Joey Lucchesi pitched eight innings in game one against the Racers and struck out a career-high 13 batters. Lucchesi earned OVC Pitcher of the Week for his performance. The Redhawks won that game in extra innings, 10-3. Southeast put up a 10 spot in the first inning of game two en route to a 17-12 win. The sweep was completed with a game three, 10-2, victory. Southeast has won seven straight conference games.
 
OVC Pitcher of the Week, Again
Joey Lucchesi earned his second OVC Pitcher of the Week honor this week. Lucchesi pitched eight complete innings against Murray State Friday evening. He struck out a career-high 13 batters in his eight innings of work. He allowed just one run on only three hits. He left the game with a 3-1 lead but suffered a no decision after the Racers tied the game in the ninth inning. A Southeast Missouri pitcher has been named pitcher of the week four of the last five weeks. Lucchesi is the first pitcher in the league to earn the honor twice this season. 2015 has featured the most pitchers of the week since 2007 when Southeast had five.
 
On Pace to Repeat
The Redhawks are on pace to repeat as the Ohio Valley Conference Regular Season Champions in 2015. Southeast sits at 19-5 in league play with two OVC series left. A year ago, the Redhawks were 19-5 at the very same spot in the season. Southeast has won all eight OVC series this year with sweeps of UT Martin, Jacksonville State, and Murray State. Last year, Southeast had four OVC series sweeps but had a series loss to Morehead State early in conference play. The Redhawks clinched the OVC title during the final conference series of the season at Tennessee Tech. Second-place SIUE is chasing the Redhawks and are 15-9 on the season. The Cougars are playing out of conference this weekend but third-place Morehead State can gain ground on Southeast.
 
Digging the Long Ball
The Redhawks have won the last eight games in which they have hit a home run. Southeast has hit two or more home runs in 12 games this season. The Redhawks rank second in the OVC in the category with 48; behind Belmont's 56. Nationally, Southeast ranks fifth in home runs and home runs per game. 16 of Southeast's 48 have been leadoff home runs. Branden Boggetto and Ryan Rippee lead the team with eight each this season.
 
Looking Ahead
Southeast Missouri will return to action against Tennessee Tech in the final home series of the season, May 1-3. The Redhawks will then travel to in-state rival Missouri for a midweek match up on Tuesday, May 5.