Martin, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri baseball defeated the UT Martin Skyhawks 8-7 after a two out two-run home run from Justin Dirden in the ninth inning, giving them the series win.
 
The Redhawks took the lead early after a huge second inning where they scored six runs on four hits.
 
Wade Stauss had a two-run home run bringing in Justin Dirden who walked. Trevor Ezell and Tristen Gagan both had two-RBI hits with two outs to bring the lead up to 6-0.
 
The Skyhawks finally got on the board in the fifth inning after a two-RBI double from Jordan Stoner to close the lead to 6-2.
 
No teams scored again until the Skyhawks erupted for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
With two outs, Collin Edwards singled to right field bringing in one run. The next at bat Blake Davis singled to left bringing in another run, cutting the lead to two.
 
Joey Burris came into pitch for Daniel Bergtholdt with two runners on base and on the first pitch Ethan Whitley hit a three-run home run from the Skyhawks to take the lead at 7-6. Southeast escaped from the inning the very next at bat.
 
In the top of the ninth with two outs, Tristen Gagan singled up the middle to bring the winning run to the plate.
 
With a 2-1 count, Justin Dirden homered to center field, giving the lead back to the Redhawks at 8-7.
 
Aaron Stretch came in to close for Southeast in the bottom of the ninth and the Skyhawks went three up, three down, giving the Redhawks the victory.
 
Joey Burris (1-1) was charged with the win for Southeast, Aaron Stretch got his first save of the season as well.
 
Southeast now sits at 7-14 on the season and will next play Missouri State on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.