Saint Louis (25-9) at Southeast Missouri (16-20)

Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Time: 6 p.m., CT
Site: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Facility: Capaha Field
Series: SEMO leads 33-27
Last Meeting: SEMO 4, SLU 2 (Apr. 4, 2018 / Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Coaches: Andy Sawyers (132-73 overall, 45-46 at SEMO, 27-21 OVC). Darin Hendrickson (865-445-1, 352-252-1 at SLU).

Media Coverage:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 92.9FM (Erik Sean and Jess Bolen) 
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com

Series History
Southeast leads the all-time series against Saint Louis, 33-27. The last meeting between these teams was on Apr. 4, where, the Redhawks defeated the Billikens, 4-2, at Capaha Field.  SEMO and SLU will meet once more in midweek action this season in St. Louis (May 1).
 
Redhawks OVC Series
Southeast is currently 11-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference and has won four of its six conference series this season. The Redhawks presently stand tied for third in the league standings behind Tennessee Tech (17-1) and Morehead State (11-4). 
 
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Tuesday's game on the radio at ESPN 92.9 FM. Erik Sean will call the action. 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.
 
Free Tailgate
Tuesday's game features a FREE tailgate sponsored by Bluff City. The tailgate will begin at 6 p.m. and will be along the first base side behind the stands. 
 
SEMO in the OVC
Southeast dropped its second conference series of the season at Jacksonville State (Apr. 13-14). SEMO's other series loss in league play came at Austin Peay.
 
Vega Named OVC Co-Pitcher of the Week
Carlos Vega was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week on Apr. 16. Vega did not allow an earned run and struck out nine in nine innings. He retired 12 of the final 16 hitters he faced in his win against Jacksonville State (Apr. 14). Vega boasts a 1.64 ERA, currently the lowest in the OVC.
 
Southeast Ranks Nationally
Trevor Ezell ranks 41st in the nation with a .489 batting averaged and is tied for 19th with 56 hits this season. Chase Urhahn is tied for sixth in the NCAA with 16 doubles, while Peyton Faulkner stands tied for 68th after being hit by a pitch 10 times. Justin Dirden ranks tied for 44th in home runs (9) and tied for seventh in RBI (44). Tristen Gagan is not far behind as he is tied for 14th with 43 RBI. Carlos Vega is 37th with a 1.64 ERA and is tied for 30th with six wins this year. As a team, the Redhawks rank nationally in batting average (59th, .286), runs (54th, 233), hits (46th, 254), home runs (44th, 32) and home runs per game (52nd).

Midweek Play
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. Nathan Bock recorded his first career win on the mound. Southeast continued the trend with a 15-0 win over McKendree (Apr. 10) at Capaha Field. Seven of the Redhawks 14 hits went for extra bases in that game (5 doubles, 2 home runs). Ashton Holyfield recorded his first career win on the mound.
 
Hot Bats
Southeast has 355 hits and 220 RBI in 2018. The Redhawks average 6.5 runs a game on just under 10 hits. Trevor Ezell leads the team with 56 hits, which rank third in the Ohio Valley Conference.  Justin Dirden leads the Redhawks with 44 RBI this season. Southeast has 72 doubles and 32 home runs, as well.
 
Ranked in the OVC
Southeast has allowed the fewest home runs in the league with 22 his season. The Redhawks are second with a 4.67 earned run average and narrowly trail Jacksonville State (.459). Southeast leads the conference with a .972 fielding percentage on 942 putouts.  
 
Individuals: Trevor Ezell is in fourth in the conference with a .389 batting average. Ezell is tied for the OVC lead with three triples and stands third with 56 total hits. Chase Urhahn is tied for second in the conference with 16 doubles, only three behind leader Davis Sims of Murray State. Justin Dirden is fourth in the OVC with a .680 slugging percentage. Peyton Faulkner is tied for second in hit by pitch after being hit 10 times. Faulkner and teammate Connor Basler lead the conference in sacrifice bunts with six apiece. Carlos Vega leads the league with a 1.64 ERA on a OVC-lowTristen Gaganwed. Vega ties for the top of the league with zero home runs. Tristen Gagan ranks third in the OVC with 281 putouts on 307 chances.
 
Home Run Count
Southeast has 32 home runs and ranks sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in thaJustin Dirdenis season. The Redhawks hit a home run in 20 games this year. Justin Dirden leads the team with nine round-trippers. The Redhawks had a season-high four home runs at Austin Peay (Mar. 31).  
 
On Deck
The Redhawks remain home to host Murray State in a three-game series, beginning Friday at 6 p.m., CT.