CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Ben Palmer's two-out double in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Southeast Missouri (15-5, 1-0) a thrilling 2-1 victory over SIU Edwardsville (10-9, 0-1) Friday night in the Ohio Valley Conference opener at Capaha Field.

With two outs, Joel Vaske was hit by a pitch and Ty Stauss followed with a walk to give SEMO a pair of baserunners in the fifth. On the next play, Palmer hit his second double of the season off the left field wall to score both Vaske and Stauss and put the Redhawks ahead, 2-0.

Right-handers Jason Rackers and Brant Glidewell engaged in an excellent pitcher's duel from the start.
 
Rackers began his fourth start of the season by retiring SIUE in order in the first and sitting down six of the first seven hitters he faced. He pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the fourth and ended a threat in the third when the Cougars had a runner on third with two outs.
 
Meanwhile, Glidewell had a no-hitter through 4.2 innings until Palmer spoiled it in the fifth.
 
Rackers later gave way to reliever Kyle Miller with runners at first and second with no outs in the top of the seventh. 
 
Miller threw out Avery Owusu-Asiedu on a fielder's choice at third for the first out. Richie Wells' single then made it a one-run game before Miller recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
 
Miller proceeded to pitch a 1-2-3 eighth and pitched around a leadoff error in the ninth to pick up his team-high third save.
 
Rackers ran his record to 3-0 with his first career OVC victory. He matched his longest start of the season working six innings with six strikeouts. Rackers allowed just one run on five hits and walked one, as well. His six strikeouts tied a season-best.
 
Glidewell (2-1) suffered his first loss. He struck out five, walked two and gave up two runs in his eight-inning one-hitter. Glidewell threw 119 pitches.
 
SEMO improved to 19-12 all-time in OVC opening games. The Redhawks started league action with a win for the fourth time in five seasons.
 
The Redhawks and Cougars resume their series Saturday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m., CT. Left-hander Noah Niznik is scheduled to pitch for SEMO.