Date: Friday March 22 - Sunday March 24, 2019
Time: Fri. 6 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Ballpark: Capaha Field (2,000)
Series: SEMO leads, 53-38
Last Meeting: SEMO 20, APSU 4 (Mar. 31, 2018 / Clarksville, Tenn.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (155-92 overall; 68-64 at SEMO; 38-28 OVC)
Travis Janssen (67-66; Third Season)
Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean & Jess Bolen)
Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Series History
The Redhawks lead the Governors 53-38 in the all-time series. Southeast dropped the series last season, although saving the APSU sweep with a 20-4 victory in the series finale. Southeast has won fifteen series against Austin Peay, dropping 12. The Governors come into the weekend on a four-game win streak that includes victories over Western Kentucky and a sweep of Tennessee Tech.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to this weekend's games live on the radio at SEMO ESPN 1220 AM with Erik Sean calling the action alongside Jess Bolen. Live stats are available at GoSoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 124 times this season, (5.9 per game), most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Connor Basler and Tyler Wilber lead the team with 21 and 16 walks, respectively. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 62 walks which stand as the fewest in the league. In their series against UT Martin, the Redhawks walked a total of 11 times. Prior to the start of conference play, SEMO drew 33 walks in its series against Purdue-Fort Wayne.
Hurts So Good
After leading the OVC in hit by pitch last season, SEMO is doing the same this year. Redhawk hitters have been plunked 26 times this season. Alex Nielsen, Peyton Faulkner and Hunter Southerland lead the team after been hit on four occasions. In game two of their series against Western Illinois (Feb. 23), the Redhawks reached base five times by way of hit by pitch.
The 2019 Campaign
The Redhawks are scheduled to play a total of 32 games at Capaha Field this 2019 season. Southeast Missouri played 16 of its first 17 games in Cape Girardeau, finishing 11-5 in those contests. SEMO opened a five-game home stand against Memphis Tuesday.
Leading the OVC
SEMO is leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories through 21 games this season. The Redhawks are second in on-base percentage (.409), first in triples (10), first in walks(126), first in hit by pitch (28), and first in fewest walks allowed (67). Individually, Alex Nielsen leads the conference in sacrifice bunts (5), and junior Connor Basler stands second in walks (20) and stolen bases (10). Tyler Wilber is tied for first in triples (3), second in doubles (7), and third in hits (30). Wilber has the fourth-best batting average in the OVC (.385) and third-best on-base percentage (.495). Freshman Noah Niznik is second in ERA (1.59), runs allowed (5) and earned runs allowed (5). Niznik leads the conference in fewest doubles allowed with only one. Dylan Dodd is tied for the conference lead in walks allowed (4), triples allowed (0), and wins (4).
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) missed 19 games and outfielder Peyton Faulkner (hand) was out the last 12 contests. Catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for six games and, most recently, first baseman Austin Blazevic (hand) was out the SIUE series (Mar. 15-17) and Tuesday's game against Memphis. Designated hitter/first baseman Turner Fritts went 2-for-4 with a double and one walk in his return against Memphis (Mar. 19). Prior to that, Fritts missed seven games after his father suddenly passed away. In its last conference series at SIUE, SEMO had only two extra position players available and no left-handed hitters.
