MACOMB, Ill. — Southeast Missouri (18-8, 3-1) fell to Western Illinois (7-18, 2-2) with a final score of 12–2 on Friday. Western Illinois capitalized on a strong start, scoring six runs in the first two innings.

Western Illinois took an early lead in the first inning when Liam Bushey homered to center field, bringing home Joe Connolly for a 2–0 advantage over the Redhawks. The score after the first inning was 2–0 in favor of Western Illinois.

In the second inning, the Redhawks had an opportunity with the bases loaded but were unable to score. Western Illinois extended its lead with a series of plays, including an RBI double by Josh McClintock and runs scoring on a wild pitch and an error, bringing the score to 6–0 after the second inning.

Western Illinois added another run in the third inning when Krayton Morse scored on a wild pitch, increasing its lead to 7–0 at the end of the third inning.

The Redhawks got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning with a solo home run by Brooks Kettering, reducing the deficit to 7–1. For Kettering, his home run was his first of the season. 

In the eighth inning, Joe Hall homered to left field for the Redhawks, adding another run. However, Western Illinois responded with a five-run inning, featuring a two-RBI single by Isaiah Monge and a two-RBI single by Joe Connolly, widening the lead to 12–2.

SEMO Top Performers
Joe Hall
----------------------
- 1 home run
- 3 hits
- 1 double
- 1 RBI

Brooks Kettering
----------------------
- 1 home run
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
- 5 assists

JoJo Keldsen
----------------------
- 4 strikeouts
- 3 1/3 innings pitched
- 1 earned run
- 1.29 WHIP


In their next game, the Redhawks will travel to face Western Illinois at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, March 28 in Macomb, Illinois.