CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Alex Canty ripped a one-out single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Southeast Missouri (22-26, 16-9) a 9-8 walk-off victory over Belmont (16-33, 10-18) Friday night at Capaha Field.
Belmont's only error of the game was costly as Justin Dirden singled and moved into scoring position when pitcher Kyle Brennan mis-handled Danny Wright's grounder. Canty followed with the game-winning hit and Dirden scored to complete SEMO's come-from-behind thriller.
SEMO trailed 8-4 after six-and-a-half innings before tying the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Connor Basler drew a two-out walk and Devon Wilson singled to right field. Peyton Faulkner added a single and Basler scored. On the next play, Trevor Ezell doubled home Wilson. Triusten Gagan then hit Brennan's third pitch for a two-RBI double to tie the game shortly after a pitching change.
The Redhawks wound up erasing a five-run deficit after Belmont used a three-run home run by Kyle Conger in the first inning and two more home runs to key a four-run fourth inning. SEMO was behind, 7-2, following the long balls.
It was then in the sixth when Dirden narrowed the Bruins lead to three on a two-RBI single. The momentum from Dirden's hit carried over to SEMO's big seventh inning.
Left-hander Daniel Bergtholdt (1-4) earned his first win of the season out of the bullpen. Bergtholdt struck out three and walked none in 2.1 scoreless innings.
In the first Friday start of his career, Carlos Vega worked 3.2 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. Vega gave up six runs on five hits, including three home runs, in his no-decision.
SEMO outhit Belmont, 14-10.
Dirden had a huge night going 4-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI and the game-winning run. Gagan and Ezell contributed two hits each and combined for three runs. Both of Ezell's hits were doubles. Faulkner scored two runs, as well.
Brennan (2-3) suffered the loss for Belmont. He allowed a run on three hits, struck out three and walked one in 2.2 innings of relief.
The Bruins finished with 10 hits.
SEMO and Belmont resume their series at 6 p.m., CT, Saturday.
