Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Time: 3 p.m., CT
Location: Columbia, Mo.
Ballpark: Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field (3,031)
Series: Mizzou leads, 22-11
Last Meeting: SEMO 6, Mizzou 5 (March 28, 2017 / Columbia, Mo.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (163-107 overall; 76-80 at SEMO; 43-38 OVC)
Steve Bieser (100-60-1; Third Season)
Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM
Stats: Live Stats
Series History
The Tigers lead the all-time series against Southeast Missouri, 22-11. The last time the Redhawks faced Missouri was at Taylor Stadium when SEMO defeated the then-#23 Tigers, 6-5, on March 28, 2017. In that game, Connor Basler and Danny Wright both recorded an RBI-single. The Redhawks won four of six games against Mizzou since 2013.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Wednesday's games live on the radio at SEMOESPN 1220 AM. Live stats are available at MUTigers.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 222 times this season, second most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 30 walks, followed closely by Hunter Southerland who has walked 28 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 173 walks which stand as the third 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 62 times this season, for an OVC high. Hunter Southerland leads the team with 13 hit by pitches, followed by Alex Nielsen and Peyton Faulkner who both have eight apiece. In game two of their series against Western Illinois (Feb. 23) and in the series finale against Tennessee Tech (Apr. 20), the Redhawks reached base five times by way of hit by pitch. Peyton Faulkner (5th, 26) and Wright (t9th, 24) cracked the school's top 10 career leaders in that category.
Hot Hitter
Tyler Wilber leads the team and the OVC with a .400 batting average. Wilber has 36 RBI on 67 hits. He had a 20-game reach base safely streak come to an end against Missouri State. The Rossmoor, California native also has 16 doubles, three triples and two home runs this season. He currently holds a .549 slugging percentage. He has 23 multiple hit games, with six games consisting of three or more hits as a sophomore. Wilber is nationally ranked in hits (19th, 62), doubles (33rd, 16) and batting average (34th, .400)
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 10-22 since. The Redhawks have just one more series at Capaha Field and play seven of their final 10 games on the road. SEMO has made the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament every season for the past 24 years. The Redahwks are currently sitting in ninth place, with the top eight teams advancing to postseason play.
Leading the OVC (as of Apr. 29)
SEMO is leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories this season. The Redhawks lead the league in hit by pitch (62), fielding percentage (.974) and is tied for first in innings pitched (391.0), and in putouts (1173). SEMO is a close second in triples (15), walks (222), and is tied for second in sacrifice bunts (26) and fielding double plays (32). Individually, Tyler Wilber leads the conference in batting average (.400), doubles (16), and is tied for first in triples (3). He ranks among league leaders in on-base percentage (2nd, .484), and in hits (3rd, 62). Danny Wright and Hunter Southerland are both tied in fielding percentage (1.000). Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is ranked in ERA (4th, 2.84), runs allowed (2nd, 16), and earned runs allowed (t2nd, 14). Dylan Dodd is ranked second in the OVC and 23rd in the nation in games started with 11 starts on the mound. Meanwhile, Alex Nielsen is tied for first with nine sacrifice bunts and ranked 23rd in the NCAA.
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 43 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 26 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 before the Jacksonville State series (Apr. 6). First baseman Austin Blazevic (hand) has been out since the SIUE series (Mar. 15-17), totaling 16 games. Both Fritts and Blazevic returned for the TTU series (Apr. 19-20). In its first conference road series at SIUE, SEMOhad only two extra position players available and no left-handed hitters.
