Date: Fri., May 3 - Sun. May 5, 2019
Time: Fri. 5 p.m., Sat. 6 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., CT
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Ballpark: E.S. Rose Park (500)
Series: SEMO leads, 18-11
Last Meeting: BU 10, SEMO 6 (May 13, 2018 / Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (1623-109 overall; 76-81 at SEMO; 43-38 OVC)
Dave Jarvis (632-581-2; 22nd 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 Belmont, 18-11. Southeast has won four of the seven series against Belmont, winning the series last season. Last season, the Redhawks defeated the Bruins 9-8 in both of the first two games of the series, but fell 10-6 in the series finale.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to this weekend's games live on the radio at SEMO ESPN 1220 AM with Erik Sean calling the action. Live stats are available at BelmontBruins.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 228 times this season, most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 30 walks, followed closely by Hunter Southerland who has reached base on balls 28 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 180 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 65 times this season, for an OVC high. Hunter Southerland leads the team with 13 hit by pitches, followed by Alex Nielsen who has been plunked eight 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 the OVC with a .382 batting average. Wilber has 37 RBI on 68 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 .539 slugging percentage. He has 23 multiple hit games, with six games consisting of three or more hits as a sophomore.
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 10-23 since.
Leading the OVC (as of May 2)
SEMO is leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories this season. The Redhawks lead the league in hit by pitch (65), fielding percentage (.974) and fielding double plays (34). SEMO is a close second in triples (15), walks (228), innings pitched (399.0), putouts (1197), and tied for second ini sacrifice bunts (26). Individually, Tyler WIlber leads the conference in batting average (.382), doubles (16), and is tied for the lead in triples (3). He ranks among league leaders in on-base percentage (2nd, .484) and hits (3rd, 62). Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik is ranked in runs allowed (2nd, 16), earned runs allowed (T2nd, 14), walks allowed (3rd, 10), and ERA (4th, 2.84). Danny Wright and Hunter Southerland are both tied for first in the conference with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Meanwhile, Alex Nielsen is tied for first with nine sacrifice bunts.
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 44 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 27 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.
