Game 1-3
Illinois State (0-0) vs. Southeast Missouri (0-0)
 
Game Information: 
Dates: Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15
Times: 3:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m.
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
Venue: Capaha Field
Sawyers vs. ISU: 3-2
 
Head Coaches: 
SEMO: Andy Sawyers: (335-249 overall; 247-222 at SEMO; 10^th season)
ISU: Steve Holm (164-185; Eighth season)
 
Follow the Redhawks: 
X: @SEMOBaseball
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (Gm1) | StatBroadcast (Gm2) | StatBroadcast (Gm3)
Listen: SEMO ESPN 93.5 FM or 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
 
Game Notes (PDF)
Media Guide (PDF)
 
Baseball Begins 2026 Campaign with Weekend Series Versus Illinois State
Southeast Missouri Baseball (0-0) begins the 2026 campaign this Friday, February 13 in the first-of-three-games against Illinois State (0-0) in Cape Girardeau. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday from Capaha Field. 
 
Sawyers vs. ISU
Head coach Andy Sawyers leads his club into battle against Missouri Valley Conference member Illinois State for the sixth, seventh and eighth times over the weekend. In the previous five matchups, the Redhawks maintain a 3-2 series lead with the most recent matchup coming during the 2021 campaign. In a four-game set, SEMO took the series 3-1 at Capaha Field with the only other loss coming in a midweek contest at ISU under Sawyers. 
 
The Manager
Coach Sawyers is entering his 10^th season at the helm of Southeast Missouri Baseball and is the sixth head coach in program history. He enters 2026 with an overall record of 247-222 for an impressive .526 winning-percentage. During his tenure, Coach Sawyers has led the program to an OVC regular season championship (2021), and three OVC Tournament titles (21, 22, 24). He has taken the Redhawks to the NCAA Tournament in three seasons and competed in the program's first ever regional final in 2024. 
 
Opening Day
Friday marks the 10^th opening day under Coach Saywers as the Redhawks open their season at home for the first time since 2019 when the Redhawks opened the season with a sweep of Western Michigan in Cape Girardeau. In opening day games, SEMO is 5-4 under Sawyers going into 2026. 
 
Welcome Back, Merty
RHP #39 Nathan Mertens returns for his senior campaign in a Redhawk uniform. Coming off a historical season, Mertens led all of NCAA DI Baseball in walks allowed per nine innings (0.92 BB/9) and ranked third in the nation (1^st in OVC) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.25 K/BB). 
 
Returning Bat
Infielder Andrew Ramirez is set to begin his final season of collegiate baseball and returns for his second season in Cape Girardeau. Ramirez, who played in 40 games and made 37 starts in 2025, is the Redhawks' returning leading hitter. He finished last season fourth on the team in batting average with a .283 mark and fourth in on-base percentage. He played the majority of last season on the left side of the infield. 
 
Savvy Veteran
Second baseman Carson Schrack returns to the diamond this season after his first season in 2025. Schrack, a native of Edgerton, Kansas, played in 44 games while making 39 starts primarily at second base last season. Schrack ranked third in on-base percentage (.409) and walks (34), and second in sacrifice bunts (5). 
 
Setup Man
RHP #31 Gavin Johnston begins his fourth and final season in Cape Girardeau for the Redhawks this season. Johnston, who has spent much of his career coming out of the bullpen, was the primary setup man in 2025. He ranked fifth in ERA (3.77) on the staff and finished with a 2-0 record. In 28.2 innings pitched, Johnston struck out 36 opposing hitters as opponents hit just .240 against the right-hander. He also ranked second on the pitching staff in appearances (23) just one behind Jackson Kranawetter (24). 
 
Steal Leader
Outfielder Caleb Champion returns for his second season in a Redhawk uniform. A Rogers, Arkansas-native, Champion primarily spent his time on the base paths last season while also playing outfield late in games in a defensive role. Champion swiped five bags in 2025 on six total attempts. He finished the year with a .833 stolen base percentage which ranked fourth on the squad. Champion will be roaming the outfield in 2026. 
 
Behind the Dish
The Redhawks will open the 2026 season with a new catcher behind the plate. With three catchers on the roster, sophomore Tank Sims is the only returner from the 2025 squad. The West Plains, Mo.-native did not see any action in 2025 as he redshirted. Upperclassmen Moises Rosario transferred in from Oakland City University, while freshman Caynen Patterson begins his collegiate career in Cape Girardeau. Utility player Cal Sullivan could see time behind the dish as well. 
 
Closer
LHP Jackson Kranawetter returns for his senior season in Cape Girardeau as the top saves leader in the Ohio Valley Conference. Kranawetter, from Campbell Hill, Illinois, was an All-OVC First Team selection after his 2025 campaign. He led the league with eight saves and ranked 29^th overall in DI Baseball. He led the Redhawks in appearances on the mound last season with 24. 
 
The Squad
The 2026 baseball squad is comprised of 37 total players, including 20 newcomers who will play their first season in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks return 17 players from a team that went 30-25 overall and finished fourth in Ohio Valley Conference play. Of the returners, 10 of them come from the pitching staff while seven of them return to the lineup. 20 newcomers narrowly surpass the 2025 squad who had 19 newcomers. 
 
The Schedule
The Redhawks will play a 55-game schedule in 2026 including 29 games inside the friendly confines of Capaha Field. SEMO will be on the road for 26 games this season including trips to Western Kentucky (Feb. 20-22), Ole Miss (Feb. 24), Wright State (Mar.13-15), Evansville (Mar. 18), Southern Illinois (Apr. 7), and Murray State (Apr. 14) to round out the non-conference road tests. SEMO will host Illinois State (Feb. 13-15), Saint Louis (Feb. 17), Miami (OH) (Feb. 27-Mar.1), Evansville (Mar. 3), Milwaukee (Mar. 6-8), Missouri State (Mar. 10), Murray State (Mar. 31), Southern Illinois (Apr. 21), Missouri (Apr. 28), and Austin Peay (May 5) in home non-conference action. The Redhawks will play a 27-game OVC schedule beginning with UT Martin (Mar. 20-22) in Cape Girardeau and concluding on the road at Little Rock (May 14-16).  
 
Preseason OVC Poll
Southeast Missouri Baseball was picked to finish second overall in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll, voted on by the league's head coaches and communications staff(s). The Redhawks, who are coming off a 30-25 campaign in 2025, received 136 points and three first-place votes in the predicted order of finish voted on by the league's head coaches and communications staff(s). SEMO has two returning all-OVC selections who were recognized for their performances in 2025 in LHP Jackson Kranawetter and RHP Nathan Mertens. Both pitchers were first team All-OVC selections in 2025 making it three-straight seasons with a Redhawk pitcher on the first team. 
 
Two Redhawks landed on the 2026 OVC 'Players to Watch' list in infielder Brooks Kettering and catcher/first baseman Cal Sullivan. Kettering is coming off a sophomore season which saw him lead he Redhawks in walks (46) for the second-straight season. He hit .240 over his 200 at-bats where he registered 48 hits and finished with a .305 slugging-percentage. He recorded nine doubles, two triples, and 18 RBIs. 
 
C/1B Cal Sullivan is new to the Redhawks this season. Sullivan is a 6-1, 220 LB junior from Ely, Iowa who spent the last two seasons at Kirkwood Community College. In 103 games played for the Eagles, Sullivan hit a staggering .395 average with 21 home runs and 122 RBIs over 354 total at bats. He recorded 140 hits including 43 doubles, a triple, and slugged .701 for his two-year career.