Southeast Missouri (5-2) vs. Purdue (3-4)
Dates: Friday, Mar. 3-Sunday, Mar. 5
First Pitch: 3 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
Stadium: Capaha Field
 
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 (2-0) vs. RHP Tanner Andrews (2-0)
Saturday: LHP Robert Beltran (0-1) vs. LHP Gareth Stroh (0-1)
Sunday: RHP Justin Murphy (1-0) vs. RHP Tanner Schumacher (0-1)
 
Leading Off
Southeast Missouri baseball (5-2) will continue its homestand this weekend when it hosts Purdue (3-4) for a three-game series. First pitch of Friday's series opener is set for 3 p.m. Saturday's tailgate game will be at 2 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday. 
 
Follow the Redhawks
• SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM will carry every broadcast of Southeast Missouri baseball this weekend. 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
• Friday Night Under the Lights: Fans of all ages can play catch under the lights of Capaha Field following all Friday evening home games. 
• Saturday Tailgate: The first tailgate of the season will be provided by Jimmy John's and River Eagle Distributing. 
• Sunday Rundays: Kids can run the bases after every Sunday home game. 
 
Series History
Southeast Missouri and Purdue have met once in the teams' histories and it was in 2009. The Boilermakers came to Cape and played a doubleheader on Feb. 27. Southeast was victorious in a game one shootout, 13-10. Purdue took game two by a 9-2 margin.
 
A Peek at What's Ahead
The first midweek game of the season will be at Arkansas State Tuesday. The midweek will serve as a final tune-up before Ohio Valley Conference play begins at Morehead State Mar. 10-12. Then it's back home for a four-game homestand beginning with Missouri State on Mar. 15. 
 
Scouting the Boilermakers
Purdue is in the midst of opening its season with 22-straight contests away from West Lafayette. The Boilermakers split a four-game series at Texas State to open the season and most recently lost two of three at Little Rock. First baseman/DH Jacson McGowan powers the Purdue offense, leading the team with nine RBI and slugging .481; however, he is only hitting .222. Friday starter Tanner Andrews is unbeaten at 2-0 in 12.1 innings. He's surrendered five runs and struck out 13 opponents. Dalton Parker has come out of the pen to earn one win and a save in 8.2 scoreless innings including fanning six hitters. Purdue is under new direction this season under Mark Wasikowski. The program went 10-44 a season ago including winning only two Big Ten games. 
 
Coaching Connection
First-year Purdue head coach Mark Wasikowski has a Southeast Missouri connection. Wasikowski was an assistant coach under Mark Hogan from 1997-98. In 1998, he helped SEMO qualify for its first NCAA Regional appearance. 
 
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 all three of his appearances this 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 has reached base safely in all seven games to open the 2017 season. Holst ended 2016 on an eight-game streak, meaning he has reached base safely in 15-straight dating back to last season. Holst led the squad last season with a .475 on base percentage and currently leads this season with a .516 clip. His .479 on base percentage ranks eighth among active Division I players. 
 
No Walks for You! 
The Redhawk pitching staff has allowed only 11 walks this season. It's 1.62 walks allowed per nine innings is tops in the country. In last weekend's series against Western Illinois, Southeast allowed just one walk in three games, registering two games without surrendering a base on balls. No Redhawk pitcher has given up more than two walks in 2017.