McKendree (6-20) at Southeast Missouri (14-18)

Dates: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
First Pitch: 6 p.m., CT
Site: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Facility: Capaha Field
Series: SEMO leads, 3-0
Last Meeting: SEMO 13, McKendree 1 (Apr. 1, 1998 / Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Andy Sawyers (130-71 overall; 43-44 at SEMO; 26-19 OVC). Danny Jackson (19-54 overall; same at McK).
 
SEMO Probable Starter: 
Game 1: Ashton Holyfield, RHP
 
Media Coverage: 
Radio: SEMO ESPN 92.9FM (Erik Sean and Jess Bolen)
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com

Series History
Southeast Missouri leads its all-time series against McKendree, 3-0. The last time these teams met was Apr. 1, 1998 in Cape Girardeau, where the Redhawks won, 13-1. Southeast played a doubleheader against McKendree in 1992 and defeated the Bearcats 5-0 and 8-1 in those contests.
 
Redhawks Win Fourth OVC Series
Southeast is currently 10-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference and has won four of its five conference series this season. The Redhawks presently stand in second place in league standings behind Tennessee Tech which is 14-1 in the OVC. SEMO travels to face Jacksonville State this weekend.

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Tuesday's game on the radio at ESPN 92.9 FM. Erik Sean will call the action alongside Jess Bolen. Live stats are available at Gosoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
 
Go Green Games
In the month of April, Southeast is partnering with Mid-America Transplant to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donations. The team will wear special green jerseys for every midweek game in the month of April. The Redhawks will also have another "Green Up" game against Murray State on Apr. 21.  More information can be found at GoSoutheast.com.

Redhawks Win Midweek
Southeast snapped a six-game losing streak in midweek games when it beat Saint Louis, 4-2, on Apr. 4. It was the Redhawks first midweek win of the season. Chase Urhahn had one RBI on three hits, including two doubles. Alex Canty logged his first career start at third base and had a hit in three at-bats. Nathan Bock recorded his first career win on the mound.

Vega's Consistent Start
Carlos Vega has started game three in every conference series this season and is again expected to start in that spot at Jacksonville State. Vega pitched in Southeast's wins at UT Martin (Mar. 18), vs. SIU Edwardsville (Mar. 25) and at Austin Peay (Mar. 31). He has also pitched out of the bullpen earlier in the weekend series. Vega recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts in his last start at Austin Peay (Mar. 31). Vega also recorded a 0.00 ERA against Eastern Illinois through seven innings. He has not given up a home run this year.
 
Hot Bats
Southeast has 318 hits and 197 RBI in 2018. The Redhawks average 6.5 runs a game on just under 10 hits. Trevor Ezell leads the team with 52 hits, which rank third in the Ohio Valley Conference. Justin Dirden has 40 RBI this season which puts him in second in the conference behind Tristen Gagan (41). Southeast has 65 doubles and 29 home runs, as well.
 
Ranked in the OVC
Southeast is third in the Ohio Valley Conference in batting average (.293) behind Tennessee Tech (.353) and Morehead State (.296). The Redhawks are also second in hit by pitch with 39. SEMO leads the conference in fielding with a .973 percentage. The Redhawks are second with a team ERA of 5.04 behind Jacksonville State's 4.84 ERA.
 
Individuals: Trevor Ezell is tied for fourth in the conference with a .400 batting average. Ezell leads the OVC with three triples. Tristen Gagan tops the league with 258 putouts on 277 chances and is tied for first with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Gagan also leads the conference with 41 runs batted in. Justin Dirden follows close behind with 40 RBI. Chase Urhahn is in second with 14 doubles, only two behind leader Davis Sims of Murray State. Carlos Vega is in second with a 2.01 earned run average and just nine earned runs allowed. 
 
Home Run Count
Southeast has 29 home runs and ranks sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in that category this season. The Redhawks hit a home run in 18 games this year. Justin Dirden leads the team with seven round-trippers. The Redhawks had a season-high four home runs at Austin Peay (Mar. 31). 
 
Leading the OVC
Tristen Gagan leads the Ohio Valley Conference in fielding percentage at 1.000 and is third with 258 putouts. Gagan leads the OVC in runs batted in with 41 followed by teammate Justin Dirden(40). Trevor Ezell leads the conference with three triples.

On Deck
Southeast Missouri will travel to Oxford, Alabama four a three-game series against Jacksonville State this weekend. First pitch of the series is set for 2 p.m. Friday. The teams will play at Choccolocco Park, the host of next month's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.