CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Danny Wright delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to send Southeast Missouri (23-27, 10-15) to a dramatic 3-2 series-opening win over Eastern Kentucky (26-23, 12-13) Friday night at Capaha Field.
Connor Basler had a one-out single and scored the winning run on Wright's base hit to left. Wright's clutch hit came after SEMO also had the winning run on base in the ninth, 10thand 11th innings.
Basler and Wright both had an outstanding game. Both finished with three hits and combined for six of SEMO's nine in the contest.
The Redhawks finally broke through to win the game after coming up empty on three occasions.
Alex Nielsen led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk before Aaron Ochsenbein struck out three-straight hitters.
SEMO had another opportunity in the bottom of the 10thinning after Basler doubled down the right field line with one out. Wright was intentionally walked on the next play. After that, Ochsenbein struck out Tyler Wilber. Then, center fielder Michael Brewer made an over the shoulder catch on a line drive by Austin Blazevic to end the frame.
An inning later, Nielsen led off with a walk and was picked off at first base.
EKU then loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 12thinning. Logan Thomason struck out and reached on a wild pitch. Brent Lovell was hit by a pitch and Brewer followed with a bunt single. Logan Winder struck out Corey Conklin. Will Johnson flied out to right and Devon Wilson threw out Thomason at the plate to wipe out the Colonels threat.
SEMO took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Connor Basler led off with an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Wilber.
EKU pulled ahead on a leadoff two-run home run by Will Johnson in the top of the third.
The Redhawks tied things up when Andrew Keck smacked a leadoff triple and scored on an ensuing base hit by Devon Wilson in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Logan Winder (2-1) was strong out of the bullpen, striking out five and allowing only one hit in 4.2 scoreless innings. At one time, Winder retired 11 in a row.
Winder relieved starter Dylan Dodd who struck out six in 7.1 innings. Dodd scattered six hits and allowed two runs before exiting the game in the eighth.
Ochsenbein (4-2) suffered the loss. The Colonels closer gave up a run on four hits, struck out nine and walked four in 4.1 frames. He threw 94 pitches, more than either team's starting pitcher.
SEMO and EKU resume their series Saturday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., CT.
