Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m., CT
Location: Jonesboro, Ark.
Ballpark: Tomlinson Stadium - Kell Field (1,200)
Series: AState leads 26-19
Last Meeting: ASU 11. SEMO 2 (Mar. 26, 2018 / Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (159-102 overall; 72-74 at SEMO; 42-36 OVC)
Tommy Raffo (279-272-1; 11th Season)
Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
Stats: Live Stats
Series History
The Red Wolves lead the Redhawks 26-19 in the all-time series. Southeast dropped the last game earlier this season, 11-2. Head coach Andy Sawyers is 3-3 against Arkansas State, with a sweep his first season at the helm. The teams have split 10 two-game series since 1992, with SEMO winning four.
Green Up Games
Southeast Missouri has teamed up with Mid-America Transplant to aim awareness about organ, eye and tissue donors, donor families and transplant recipients. The feature began last season and will continue this season, with Tuesday games in April showcasing the team wearing special green uniforms. The other "Green Up" game is Apr. 23 against McKendree. Fans will have the opportunity to learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation and register their decision to be a donor at the "Green Up" games.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Tuesday's games live on the radio at SEMO ESPN 1220 AM with Erik Sean calling the action. Live stats are available at AstateRedWolves.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 184 times this season, (5.1 per game), second most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 24 walks, followed closely by Connor Basler who has reached base on balls 22 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 129 walks which stand as the 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 46 times this season, for an OVC high. Hunter Southerland leads the team with nine hit by pitches, followed by Alex Nielsen, and Connor Basler who both have six a piece. 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 cracked into the school's top 10 career leaders in that category after being plunked 23 times. Danny Wright is two away from a spot on that list.
Hot Hitter
Tyler Wilber leads the team and the conference with a .424 batting average. Wilber has 27 RBI on 59 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 seven games. The Rossmoor, California native also has a seven-game hitting streak. Wilber has 15 doubles, three triples and one home run this season. He currently holds a .597 slugging percentage. The sophomore has 21 multiple hit games, with five games consisting of three hits and one game with four hits.
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 6-17 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 (46), fielding percentage (.972) and walks allowed (129). SEMO is a close second in triples (12), walks (184), and is tied for second in sacrifice bunts (21). Individually, Tyler Wilber leads the conference in batting average (.424), hits (59) and doubles (15). He is tied for first in triples (3) and is second in on base percentage (.506). Third baseman Alex Nielsen is tied for first in sacrifice bunts with nine this season. Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is tied for first in runs allowed (12) and is tied for first in doubles allowed (4). He is also second in the league in earned runs allowed (10) and tied for second in walks allowed (8).
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 33 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 17 games. First baseman Austin Blazevic (hand) has been out since the SIUE series (Mar. 15-17), totaling 15 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.
