Date: Thurs., May 16 - Sat. May 18, 2019
Time: Thurs. 4 p.m., Fri. 4 p.m., Sat. 12 p.m., CT
Location: Morehead, Ky.
Ballpark: Sonny Allen Field (1,200)
Series: SEMO leads, 49-40
Last Meeting: MOR 18, SEMO 9 (May 24, 2018 / Oxford, Ala. / OVC Tournament)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (166-112 overall; 79-85 at SEMO; 46-41 OVC)
Mike McGuire (222-185; Seventh 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 Morehead State, 49-40. The last meeting between the Redhawks and Eagles was in the 2018 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament when Morehead State knocked the Redhawks out of the tournament. During the regular season, the Redhawks won the series after taking the first two games 5-4 and 10-3 respectively.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to this weekend's games live on the radio at SEMOESPN 1220 AM with Erik Sean calling the action. Live stats are available at MSUEagles.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 256 times this season, for the most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 35 walks, followed closely by Hunter Southerland who has reached base on balls 34 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 210 walks. 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 77 times this season, for an OVC high. Hunter Southerland leads the team with 15 hit by pitches, followed by Alex Nielsen who has been plunked 12 times. 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 and Wright have cracked into the school's top 10 career leaders in that category after being plunked 24 times.
Hot Hitter
Tyler Wilber leads the team and is third in the OVC with a .372 batting average. Wilber has 39 RBI on 73 hits. He had a 20-game reach base safely streak come to an end against Missouri State. The Rossmoor, California native also has 18 doubles, three triples and two home runs this season. He currently holds a .526 slugging percentage. He has 25 multiple hit games, with six games consisting of three or more hits as a sophomore. Wilber also has nine multiple-RBI games
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 13-26 since.
Leading the OVC (as of May 14)
SEMO is leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories this season. The Redhawks lead the league in hit by pitch (77), fielding percentage (.974) and walks (256). SEMO is a close second in triples (17), innings pitched (453.0) and putouts (1,359). Individually, Tyler Wilber is isecond in the OVC in on-base percentage (.473) and doubles (18). He is third in batting average (.372) and tied for third in fielding double plays (28). Wilber is fourth in hits (73). Hunter Southerland trails Wilber in on base percentage (3rd, .469). He is also ranked in hit by pitches (3rd, 15) and is tied for first with a perfect fielding percentage. Second baseman Connor Basler is second in the league in stolen bases with 21 so far this season. Senior Alex Nielsen is first in the league in sacrifice bunts with 10. Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is first in the conference in earned runs allowed (20) and third in ERA (2.95).
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 50 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 33 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, SEMO had only two extra position players available and no left-handed hitters.
