Date: Fri., May 10 - Sun. May 12, 2019
Time: Fri. 5 p.m., Sat. 6 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Ballpark: Capaha Field (2,000)
Series: SEMO leads, 48-38
Last Meeting: EKU 9, SEMO 10 (May 19, 2018 / Richmond, Ky.)
Head Coaches:
Andy Sawyers (165-109 overall; 78-82 at SEMO; 45-39 OVC)
Edwin Thompson (104-116; Fifth Season)
Media:
Radio: SEMO ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean & Jess Bolen)
Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
FREE Tailgate
The final free tailgate of the season will take place Friday, May 10th, along the first base foul line. The Bank of Missouri and Kohlfeld Distributing are sponsors for this event. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., CT with a special sashing ceremony prior to the game for the seniors who will be graduating this semester.
Senior Day
With Sunday's contest being the last home baseball game of the 2019 regular season, Southeast will recognize the seniors of this year's squad prior to the first pitch. All seniors will be escorted by family and friends onto the field to be recognized for their accomplishments as a Redhawk. First pitch for Sunday is set for 1 p.m., CT, with senior day festivities scheduled beforehand.
Series History
The Redhawks lead the all-time series against Eastern Kentucky, 48-38. Southeast has an 11-game win streak going against the Colonels, dropping only one game since 2013. The last game the Redhawks dropped to EKU was on March 8, 2015 when the Colonels won 5-3. Last season the Redhawks swept EKU in the final weeked on the regular season.
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 alongside Jess Bolen. Live stats are available at GoSoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMObaseball.
Walk This Way
Southeast Missouri walked 242 times this season, tied for second most in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tyler Wilber leads the team with 34 walks, followed closely by Hunter Southerland who has reached base on balls 31 times. SEMO pitchers have allowed just 202 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 72 times this season, for an OVC high. Hunter Southerland leads the team with 14 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 second in the OVC with a .378 batting average. Wilber has 28 RBI on 71 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 .537 slugging percentage. He has 24 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 12-24 since.
Leading the OVC (as of May 9)
SEMOis leading the Ohio Valley Conference in various statistical categories this season. The Redhawks lead the league in hit by pitch (72), fielding percentage (.973) and is tied for second in walks (343). SEMO is a close second in triples (16), sacrifice bunts (28), and third in stolen bases (71) and fielding double plays (34). Individually, Tyler Wilber is second in the conference in batting average (.378) and doubles (18). He is tied for third in hits (71) and fielding double plays (27). Hunter Southerland is tied for third with Wilber in on-base percentage (.477). Southerland is also tied for first in fielding percentage (1.000) and tied for third in hit by pitch (14). Second-baseman Connor Basler is second in the league in stolen bases with 20 so far this season. Senior Alex Nielsen is tied for first in sacrifice bunts with nine. Left-handed pitcher Noah Niznik leads the conference in runs allowed (21) and earned runs allowed (18). He also ranked in ERA (3rd, 2.95) and hits allowed (t3rd, 52).
Injuries Hinder Redhawks
SEMO has been without five of its position starters due to injury. Outfielder Justin Dirden (wrist) has missed 47 games and catcher Wade Stauss (concussion) has been sidelined for 30 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.
