CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Lincoln Andrews, Connor Basler and Wade Stauss each homered and Andrew Keck added three hits to lead Southeast Missouri (26-18, 16-9) to a 6-2 win over UT Martin (18-28, 9-16) Thursday.
 
With the win, SEMO secured a spot in next week's four-team Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and moved back into first place following Murray State's series-opening loss to Austin Peay. 
 
Starting pitchers Eric Steensma and Dylan Dodd each pitched three shutout innings before UTM scored in the top of the fourth.
 
Ethan Whitley was hit by a pitch with one out in the fourth and scored on an ensuing home run by Christian Hall giving the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead. Hall's home run ended a streak of 28 consecutive scoreless innings for Dodd.
 
SEMO answered with a home run of its own to quickly tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. Keck hit a one-out single to left and came around to score on a two-out home run to right center by Andrews. For Andrews, it was his second round-tripper of the season.
 
The Redhawks took their first lead when nine-hole hitter Basler launched a home run over the left field wall an inning later. Basler's second home run put SEMO ahead, 3-2.
 
SEMO tacked on another run in the sixth, where Keck was hit by a pitch went to second on an error and touched home on a one-out single by Danny Sperling giving the Redhawks a two-run cushion.
 
UTM had its chances in the sixth and seventh innings, but came up empty. 
 
In the sixth, the Skyhawks had the bases loaded with two outs before Dodd struck out Jack Culumovic to get out of the jam.
 
Then, in the seventh inning with a runner on third, Casey Harford represented the go-ahead run at the plate. However, reliever Austin Williams got Harford to ground out on two pitches to end the threat. 
 
Still not finished, the Redhawks capped their 16th conference victory with a two-run home run by Stauss in the bottom of the eighth. Stauss did not have a hit in 22-straight at-bats until his team-high 11th home run.
 
Dodd (8-1) allowed two runs and six hits, struck out seven and walked none in 6.2 innings. He reached over 100 strikeouts this season and became the first Redhawk pitcher to get over 100 strikeouts in a season since Joey Lucchesi recorded 149 in 2016.

Steensma (1-3) suffered the loss. He scattered six hits and gave up three runs, while striking out five in five innings of work.
 
Williams picked up his team-leading sixth save after striking out two in 2.1 no-hit scoreless innings.
 
Keck went 3-for-3 with three runs scored to lead SEMO which outhit UTM, 12-6. Tyler Wilber, Andrews and Sperling followed close behind with two hits each.
 
Additionally, the Redhawks honored seniors Keegan Meyn (2020), Armon Cannon (2020), Dodd, Basler, Austin Blazevic, Wright and Wilber prior to the game.
 
SEMO will make its 25th OVC Tournament appearance in program history this 2021 campaign.  
 
The Redhawks wrap up the regular season with a doubleheader against the Skyhawks Friday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., CT at Capaha Field.