Southeast Missouri (20-21, 14-7) at #20 Tennessee Tech (35-4, 17-1)

Dates: Friday, April 27- Sunday, April 29, 2018
Times: Fri. 6 p.m., CT; Sat. 2 p.m., CT; Sun. 1 p.m., CT
Site: Cookeville, Tenn. 
Facility: Bush Stadium (1,100)
Series: SEMO leads 51-37
Last Meeting: SEMO 9, TTU 14 (OVC Tournament / May 25, 2017 / Oxford, Ala.)
Coaches: Andy Sawyers (136-74 overall; 49-47 at SEMO; 30-21 OVC) Matt Bragga (553-479-2 overall; 428-385-2 at TTU; 213-179-1 OVC)

Media Coverage:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 92.9 FM (Erik Sean)
Live Stats: TTUSports.com

Series History
Southeast Missouri leads its all-time series against Tennessee Tech, 51-37. The last meeting between these teams was at the Ohio Valley Conference when the Redhawks fell 14-9 on May 25, 2017. Southeast had also dropped the series earlier in the season after a 10-inning battle. TTU is currently on a 26-game winning streak, the longest in the nation. 

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to this weekend's games on the radio at ESPN 92.9 FM. Erik Sean will call the action. Live stats are available at TTUSports.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball. 

Redhawks OVC Series
Southeast is currently 14-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference and has won five of its seven conference series this season. The Redhawks presently stand tied for second in the league standings behind #20 Tennessee Tech (17-1). Southeast has swept two teams this season, including SIU Edwardsville and Murray State.

Total Bases 
Southeast has 603 total bases this season. Justin Dirden leads the team with 100. Trevor Ezell (89), Tristen Gagan (83) and Connor Basler (91) are closing in on the 100 mark. Ezell has 330 total bases so far in his career, while Gagan has a total of 201.  

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) and 10-8 victory over Saint Louis (Apr. 17) at Capaha Field. SEMO defeated SLU for the second time this year.

Redhawks Field Cleanly
There are four Redhawks currently with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Cole Bornhop, Alex Canty, Justin Dirden and Peyton Faulkner have no errors through 41 games this season. Bornhop has 90 putouts with 10 assists in his 18 games. Dirden has 48 putouts with four chances in his 29 games in right field. Faulkner has 46 putouts with no errors in 29 outfield starts. Meanwhile, Alex Canty has only played defense in four games this season, but has five putouts and 12 assists. 

Redhawks Sweep Racers
Southeast swept Murray State this past weekend at Capaha Field. The Redhawks totaled 35 hits in the three games. Connor Basler, Trevor Ezell and Tristen Gagan were all involved with a double play in each of the games in the series against Murray State. Justin Dirden, Trevor Ezell and Danny Wright hit home runs. Ezell fell a triple short of the cycle in game one. Aaron Stretch picked up two saves against the Racers. He finished the series with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings. 

Hot Bats
The Redhawks have 402 hits and 250 RBI in 2018. Southeast averages over six runs a game on just under 10 hits. Trevor Ezell leads the team with 63 hits, which is fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference. Justin Dirden leads the Redhawks with 50 RBI this season. Southeast has 81 doubles and 36 home runs, as well.

Ranked in the OVC
Southeast ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 14-7 record. SEMO is second in hit by pitch (52). The Redhawks are also second with a 4.70 ERA, just behind Jacksonville State (4.48). SEMO leads the OVC with a league-low 29 home runs allowed and sits in second with a .974 fielding percentage.  SEMO is in second in runs allowed (213), as well. 

Individuals: Chase Urhahn is tied for second in doubles (18). Peyton Faulkner has been hit by a pitch 13 times which puts him first in the conference. Trevor Ezell is tied for first in triples (3) and is fourth with 63 hits. Justin Dirden is in fifth place in the OVC with 50 RBI and fourth in slugging percentage (.685). Dirden is tied for sixth with 11 round-trippers. Carlos Vega leads the OVC with a 1.82 ERA and an opposing batting average of .213. He has also allowed the fewest runs with only 15. Vega has allowed only one home run all season which ties for first. Aaron Stretch has now appeared in 18 games in relief to occupy fifth in the league.. 

Home Run Count
Southeast has 36 home runs this season. The Redhawks hit a home run in 22 games this year. Justin Dirden leads the team with 11 round-trippers. The Redhawks had a season-high four home runs at Austin Peay (Mar. 31).  

On Deck
The Redhawks close out their eight-game road trip with a midweek tilt at Saint Louis on May 1. SEMO has beaten SLU two times in midweek play this season.