OXFORD, Ala. – #2 Southeast Missouri (27-30) was eliminated from the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with an 11-0 loss to #4 Jacksonville State (32-24) Friday afternoon at Choccolocco Park.
SEMO's offense again struggled, this time getting only two singles. The Redhawks were no-hit for six innings and had just five baserunners.
Andrew Naismith gave JSU an early lead with a three-run home run in the top of the first inning. He hit Christian Vick's second offering over the left center wall to grab the Gamecocks a 3-0 advantage with two outs.
SEMO's starting pitcher had a short outing for the second-straight day as Vick left the game after allowing three runs on six hits in 2.2 innings of work. He faced 13 hitters and recorded two strikeouts, as well.
The Gamecocks tacked on a couple more runs in the fourth.
Isaac Alexander singled and Alex Strachan walked to give JSU a pair of baserunners. On the next play, Cole Frederick reached on an error and Alexander scored. Clayton Daniel's ensuing sacrifice fly knocked in Frederick to push the Gamecocks lead to 5-0.
JSU followed that up with a four-run fifth inning which began with a solo home run by Taylor Hawthorne. Naismith then doubled home a run and Hayden White touched home on a wild pitch. Naismith scored when Frederick lined out to right center making it 9-0.
The Gamecocks polished off their win with two final tallies in the eighth.
Right-hander Colton Pate (5-5) had his way with the Redhawks for the second time this season. Pate went the distance with six strikeouts. He allowed just one walk, got 13 fly ball outs and recorded six groundball outs. Pate struck out nine and allowed only one run in 8.2 innings of a no-decision against SEMO back on Apr. 14.
Vick (5-5) took the loss.
Justin Dirden and Chase Urhahn had the Redhawks hits as SEMO went 2-for-30 at the plate.
SEMO was outhit 39-11 in its final two games of the OVC Tournament. The Redhawks were also shutout in an OVC Tournament game for the first time since 1996.
