CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Southeast Missouri (16-7, 1-0 OVC) secured an 8–6 victory over UT Martin (10-11, 0-1 OVC) Friday night. The Redhawks capitalized on UT Martin's three errors and tallied a total of 11 hits, including a home run, to gain the upper hand in their conference opener. This victory also marked SEMO's 11th straight win, tying the longest streak of head coach
Andy Sawyers' career.
Southeast Missouri took an early lead against the Skyhawks with a four-run first inning.
Caleb Klein singled to start the inning, and
Ryan Lopetegui was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second.
Carson Schrack singled down the right field line, driving in
Joe Hall. Dakot Joggerst then singled to center, scoring Lopetegui and Schrack, assisted by an error from the center fielder.
Andrew Ramirez capped off the inning with an RBI double down the right field line, allowing Joggerst to score. Southeast Missouri led 4-0 after one inning.
In the fifth inning, the Redhawks extended their lead when
Demitri Shakotko reached on an error and stole second. Lopetegui hit a two-run homer to left center, scoring Shakotko. This increased Southeast Missouri's lead to 6-0 through five innings.
UT Martin responded in the sixth inning, scoring three runs. A single by Lawrence, followed by an RBI single from Grines, got the Skyhawks on the board. Payton added another RBI single, and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded brought in a third run. Southeast Missouri's lead was cut to 6-3.
In the eighth inning, the Skyhawks scored once, but Southeast Missouri responded with two runs of its own.
Andrew Ramirez singled, followed by another single from
Tank Sims.
Brooks Kettering added a single to load the bases.
Caleb Klein walked, forcing in a run, and
Caleb Champion was hit by a pitch to score another. Southeast Missouri led 8-4 after eight innings.
UT Martin made a final push in the ninth, scoring two runs on an RBI double by Payton and an RBI single by Dunsford. However, Southeast Missouri held on to win the game 8–6.
Southeast Missouri Top Performers
Ryan Lopetegui
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- 2 runs
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run
Demitri Shakotko
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- 1 run
- 1 hit
- 2 stolen bases
Andrew Ramirez
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- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 5 assists
Looking ahead, the Redhawks are set to face UT Martin at 2 p.m. CT Saturday, March 21 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
