Southeast Missouri (7-7, 0-3) vs. UT Martin (7-7, 0-3)
Dates: Friday, Mar. 17-Sunday, Mar. 19, 2017
First Pitch: 6 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Stadium: Capaha Field
Head Coaches:
     Andy Sawyers (7-7, first season)
     Rick Robinson (43-77, third season)
 
Media Information
Radio: SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM / Erik Sean, Jess Bolen | Listen Live
Live Stats: Game One | Game Two | Game Three
Twitter Updates: @SEMObaseball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
The Matchups
Friday: RHP Clay Chandler (2-2) vs. LHP Dom Bazanni (1-1)
Saturday: LHP Robert Beltran (0-2) vs. RHP Dalton Westfall (2-1)
Sunday: RHP Justin Murphy (2-1) vs. TBA
 
Leading Off
Southeast Missouri baseball (7-7, 0-3) continues its homestand this weekend when it plays host to the UT Martin Skyhawks (7-7, 0-3). The series will kick off Friday under the lights at 6 p.m. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Follow the Redhawks
• This weekend's series will be broadcast live on SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM. Erik Sean and Jess Bolen will be on the call. Fans can download the free SEMO ESPN app to listen to live broadcasts of Redhawks baseball all season long. 
• Live stats will be available on GoSoutheast.com. 
• @SEMObaseball, the official Twitter page of the Redhawks, will feature live in-game updates all season long. 
 
This Weekend's Promotions
• Saturday St. Patty's Day Tailgate – Premier Physical Therapy and Kohlfeld Distributing will present a St. Patrick's Day tailgate featuring green beer and Irish stew. 
• Friday Night Under the Lights – Kids can play catch under the lights after Friday games.
• Sunday Runday – Kids can run the bases following Sunday afternoon games.
 
Series History
Southeast Missouri holds a wide 59-16-1 margin over UT Martin in the all-time series. The Redhawks have won the last 14 and 19 of the last 20 meetings. In last year's series in Martin, the Redhawks outscored the Skyhawks 60-14 in the three-game sweep. SEMO capped the series with a 26-2 win and blasted eight home runs. 
 
A Peek at What's Ahead
The Redhawks will embark on a five-game road stretch beginning Tuesday evening at Central Arkansas. First pitch from Conway, Arkansas is set for 6 p.m. Southeast will then head to Edwardsville, Illinois for a three-game OVC series with SIUE next weekend before taking on in-state foe Missouri on Tuesday, Mar. 28 in Columbia. 
 
Scouting the Skyhawks
UT Martin enters this weekend's series with identical records to the Redhawks: 7-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play. UTM opened league play last weekend being swept by Tennessee Tech at home. The Skyhawks began the season 5-1 and most recently picked up a 7-3 midweek win over Lipscomb. Tyler Albright has started every at second base this season and leads the team with a .439 batting average and a team-high 15 RBI with 25 hits, seven doubles, and 14 runs scored. Center fielder Creighton Eldridge has hit a team-high five homers and has driven in 14, slugging .692. Saturday's starter Dalton Westfall has the second-best ERA in the league with a 1.93 clip and leads the conference with 38 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .160 batting average. He allowed three runs on three hits to TTU and struck out eight Golden Eagles. Westfall earned OVC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 27 after striking out 12 batters in eight and a third innings, allowing just two hits against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 
 
Wizard of Osborne
Right fielder Chris Osborne enters this weekend's series with a seven-game hitting streak. In the last five games, Osborne is hitting .400 with a team-high seven RBI, slugging .700. 
 
Go Right Ahead
In 14 games this season, Southeast has scored first in just four games. Wednesday's game against Missouri State was the first since Feb. 27 SEMO touched home first. Opponents are outscoring Southeast 13-4 in the first inning this season and have scored in the first six times. 
 
Lees Added to Johnny Bench Watch List
Senior catcher Brian Lees is one of 85 catchers nationally to be named to the 2017 Johnny Bench Award watch list presented by The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission and BaseballSavings.com. Lees, a native of Brunswick, Ohio, makes his second appearance on the list in as many years. The OVC is represented by Lees, Hunter Fain (Morehead State), Tyler Lawrence (Murray State), Clay Payne (Belmont), and Logan Starnes (Eastern Kentucky) on the watch list.
 
Wade to Save the Day
Junior Matthew Wade has taken on the closer role this season for the Redhawks and has settled in nicely. Wade has earned a save in three of his five appearances this season. He entered in a save situation against Missouri State but ended up earning the win, his first of the season. The righty had four saves as a redshirt-freshman in 2015. His seven career saves ranks tied for seventh on Southeast's career saves list. The career record is 13 (Brad Smith, 2003-05). 
 
But Does He Get on Base?
Senior outfielder Dan Holst led the squad last season with a .475 on base percentage and currently leads this season with a .455 clip. His .471 career on base percentage ranks seventh among active Division I players. 
 
Hang In There, Slugger
Chris Osborne not only finished as the team and conference leader in slugging last season, he was the national slugging champion with a .741 slugging percentage. So far this season, he is slugging .556 but his career .694 slugging percentage leads active Division I players. 
 
No Walks for You! 
Prior to last weekend, Southeast Missouri led the country in walks allowed per nine innings, allowing just 13 in the first 10 games of the season. However, Southeast surrendered 20 walks at Morehead State, increasing its walks allowed per nine innings to 2.60, still leading the conference but now ranking 14th in the country. The staff rebounded, allowing only two walks to Missouri State Wednesday.