Southeast Missouri (1-3) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-4)
Series Information
Dates: Friday, Feb. 26-Sunday, Feb. 28
First Pitch: 2:05 p.m., 1 p.m., 1 p.m.
Location: Pine Bluff, Ark.
Stadium: Torii Hunter Baseball Complex
Series: Southeast leads 5-1
Head Coaches: Steve Bieser (100-79, 4^th season); Carlos James (114-230-2, 6^th season)
 
Media Information
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Todd Bonacki) | Listen Live
Live Video: N/A
Live Stats: N/A
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
Probable Starting Pitching Rotations
Friday: LHP Joey Lucchesi (0-1) vs. TBA
Saturday: RHP Clay Chandler (0-0) vs. TBA
Sunday: LHP Robert Beltran (0-1) vs. TBA
 
Leading Off
• Southeast Missouri will travel to Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a three-game series this weekend. The Redhawks and Golden Lions last met in 2008.
• The Redhawks lead the all-time series 5-1. Southeast has outscored UAPB 62-13 in their six all-time meetings.
• RHP Clay Chandler was named the adidas OVC Co-Pitcher of the Week following his first start as a Redhawk.
• The Redhawks opened the 2016 season going 1-3 in a four-game road swing. Southeast was swept by Lamar to open a season for the first time since 2012 (at Dallas Baptist).
 
Redhawks Rundown
Back on Track
Southeast Missouri baseball (1-3) will travel to Pine Bluff, Arkansas this weekend for a three-game set with Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-4). The Redhawks and Golden Lions will play at 2:05 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Follow the Redhawks
This weekend's series will be broadcast live on SEMO ESPN 1220 AM. Todd Bonkaci will provide play-by-play on the broadcast. Fans can download the SEMO ESPN app to listen to live broadcasts of Redhawks baseball all season long. Live Twitter updates are available on the official Twitter page of the Redhawks, @SEMObaseball.
 
Let's Recap
Southeast Missouri opened the 2016 season with a four-game road swing last weekend. The Redhawks struggled to get the bats going against a very good Lamar pitching staff and were swept in the three-game series against the Cardinals; however, the Redhawk pitching staff was dominant on the weekend, led by Joey Lucchesi and Clay Chandler. The series sweep was the first time the Redhawks had been swept to open a season since 2012. The Redhawks began to fire the offense with a 17-4 victory over Alcorn State on Monday. Kylar Robertson led the way in the game with three hits and five RBI. Robertson fell a home run short of hitting for the cycle.
 
What's Ahead
Southeast Missouri will begin the month of March with a single game at Southern Illinois on March 1 in Carbondale, Illinois. The Redhawks and Salukis will play at 3 p.m. Southeast will then welcome Central Arkansas in the home opener March 4-6. The series against Central Arkansas will be the only home games before the Redhawks head back on the road for seven straight games.
 
First OVC Pitcher of the Week
Junior right-handed pitcher Clay Chandler was tabbed as the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Chandler made his first Redhawk start in Saturday's game at Lamar. He allowed one run in the first inning but quickly settled in. After allowing the one run, he retired the next 14 straight hitters he faced. He pitched eight complete innings, allowing one run on two hits and fanned 10 total batters, walking only two. A walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th inning resulted in a no decision for Chandler.
 
One Hundred for the Skipper
Fourth-year head coach Steve Bieser earned his 100th career victory at the helm of the Redhawks with Monday's 17-4 win over Alcorn State.
 
You're Here A Lot
Senior right-handed pitcher Alex Siddle is on track to break Southeast's all-time appearances record. Siddle has appeared in 68 games in a Redhawk uniform. He currently ranks fourth on the list. Siddle's 67 appearances ranks 18th among active college players in relief appearances. The record, held by Jason Swearingen (1995-98) is 76 appearances. Siddle has averaged 22 appearances each season of his three-year career.
 
Doubling Down
Currently at 45 career doubles, Branden Boggetto needs five doubles to crack the career top-10 list at Southeast Missouri. Boggetto ranks fifth among all active NCAA players in the category. Boggetto nearly broke the single-season doubles record in 2015 with 23, which ranked sixth nationally. The career record is 68 (Zach Borowiak, 2000-03). 
 
Tabbed to Three-Peat
Ohio Valley Conference head baseball coaches and sports information directors have tabbed the Redhawks to win the OVC in 2016. The Redhawks received 19 first-place votes of the 22 ballots cast. The Redhawks will look to win their third-straight OVC championship in 2016. Jacksonville State was picked to finish second while Austin Peay (two first-place votes) was tabbed third in the preseason polling.
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Senior left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi was named the 2016 Preseason OVC Pitcher of the Year, the league announced last week. Lucchesi finished his first season in a Redhawk uniform with a 7-2 record and a 3.17 ERA. Lucchesi began the season coming out of the pen before settling in to a starting role at the beginning of conference play. He was 7-1 in league games with a 2.13 ERA. Lucchesi held the league's best ERA (3.17), opponent batting average (.192), and strikeouts (93). Lucchesi also earned First Team All-OVC praises.
 
Preseason All-OVC Team
In addition to Joey Lucchesi, senior first baseman Ryan Rippee and senior shortstop Branden Boggetto were named to the Preseason All-OVC team. Rippee and Boggetto each earned Second Team All-OVC accolades in 2015.
 
Preseason Road Warriors
Of the Redhawks' first 26 games, they will play 18 on the road. Reversely, Southeast will play the majority of the second half of the season at home. Of their last 30 games, 19 will be played at Capaha Park. The home opener is slated for the weekend of March 4-6 when Central Arkansas comes to town.