Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time: Tues. 6 p.m., CT
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Ballpark: Billiken Sports Complex (500)
Series: SEMO leads, 23-21
Last Meeting: SLU 5, SEMO 2 (May 1, 2018 / St. Louis, Mo.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (158-100 overall; 71-72 at SEMO; 41-34 OVC)
Darin Hendrickson (377-281-1; 11th Season)
Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
Stats: Live Stats
Series History
The Redhawks lead the all-time series against Saint Louis, 23-21. Last season, the two teams faced off three different times with SEMO winning the first two contests by scores of 4-2 and 10-8. There has only been one shutout in program history against the Billikens (May 1, 2012). The Redhawks have scored at least a pair of runs in every contest against SLU.
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 SLUBillikens.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 169 times this season, (5.2 per game), second most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Connor Basler and Tyler Wilber lead the team with 22 walks each. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 116 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 40 times this season. Hunter Souterhland 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.
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 5-14 since.
Leading the OVC ( as of Apr. 8)
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 (40) and fielding percentage (.972). SEMO is a close second in triples (12), walks (169), and sacrifice bunts (19). Defensively, Southeast is in second in innings pitched (280.0), walks allowed (116) and putouts (840). Individually, Tyler Wilber tops the league in batting average (.418), doubles (13) and is tied for first in triples (3). He is in second in on-base percentage (.503) and is tied for second in hits (51). Second baseman Connor Basler is in second in stolen bases (15) and steal attempts (18). Alex Nielsen is tied for first in sacrifice bunts (8) and is third in assists (79). Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is second in earned runs (10) and walks allowed (8). He is third in the league with a 2.23 earned run average. Dylan Dodd is third in the OVC in walks allowed (9), and is tied in third in wins (4). He is tied for fourth in batters struck out (52). Senior Logan Winder is tied for fourth in games in relief (15) and in appearances (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.
