Date: Friday, April 12 - Saturday April 14, 2019
Time: Fri. 2 p.m. DH, Sat. 2 p.m., CT
Location: Murray, Ky.
Ballpark: Reagan Field (800)
Series: SEMO leads, 50-39
Last Meeting: SEMO 5, MUR 2 (May 23, 2018 / OVC Tournament / Oxford, Ala.)

Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (158-100 overall; 71-72 at SEMO; 41-34 OVC)
Dan Skirka (14-16; First Season) 

Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3

Series History
The Redhawks lead the all-time series against Murray State, 50-39. The two teams met four times last season, with SEMO getting the win in each matchup. The most recent was in the 2018 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Oxford, Alabama when the Redhawks won 5-2 (Mat 23, 2018). Southeast has swept the Racers four times. Last season, SEMO won 7-4, 8-6 and 7-5 at Capaha Field. The Redhawks have won 18 of the 26 series played between these teams. 

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. Live stats are available at GoRacers.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.

Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 173 times this season, (5.2 per game), second most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 23 walks, followed closely by Connor Basler who has reached base on balls 22 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 123 walks which stand as the second fewest in the league. The Redhawks walked a total of 11 times in both the UT Martin and Austin Peay series. 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 42 times this season. Hunter Southerland leads the team with seven hit by pitches, followed by Alex Nielsen (6). In game two of their series against Western Illinois (Feb. 23), the Redhawks reached base five times by way of hit by pitch. Peyton Faulkner is one hit by pitch away from cracking the school's top 10 career leaders in that category. Danny Wright is two away from a spot on that list as well.

Hot Hitter
Tyler Wilber leads the team and the conference with a .429 batting average. Wilber has 25 RBI on 25 hits. He had a 20-game reach base safely streak come to an end against Missouri State. He has since re-established a streak that has now reached four games. The Rossmoor, California native also has a four-game hitting streak. Wilber has 13 doubles, three triples and one home run this season. 

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 started the season with a 10-3 record, but has gone 5-15 since. 

Leading the OVC (as of Apr. 11)
SEMO is leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories through the first half of the season. The Redhawks lead the league in hit by pitch (42) and fielding percentage (.971). SEMO is a close second in triples (12), walks (173), sacrifice bunts (20), and walks allowed (123). Individually, Tyler Wilber leads the conference in batting average (.429), doubles (13) and is tied for first in triples (3). Wilber is also ranked in on-base percentage (2nd, .513) and hits (3rd, 54). Second baseman Connor Basler is second in steal attempts (18) and stolen bases (15). Alex Nielsen leads the league in sacrifice bunts (9) and is third in assists (82). Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is second in runs allowed (12), earned runs allowed (10) and walks allowed (8). He is also third in the conference with a 2.23 ERA. Dylan Dodd ranks among league leaders in strikeouts (t4th, 52) and walks allowed (3rd, 9). Relievers Logan Winder and Nathan Bock are tied for fourth in appearances (15) and games in relief (15).

Injuries Hinder Redhawks 
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 30 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 14 games. First baseman Austin Blazevic (hand) has been out since the SIUE series (Mar. 15-17), totaling 12 games. 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. Outfielder Peyton Faulkner (hand) was out 19 contests before returning for the Jacksonville State series this past weekend. In its first conference road series at SIUE, SEMO had only two extra position players available and no left-handed hitters.