Game 33
Southeast Missouri (22-10) at Southern Illinois (12-18)
 
Game Information: 
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Carbondale, Ill. 
Venue: Itchy Jones Stadium
Sawyers vs. SIU: 4-12
 
Head Coaches: 
SEMO: Andy Sawyers (357-259 overall; 269-232 at SEMO; 10^th Season)
SIU: Lance Rhodes (208-134; Seventh Season)
 
Follow the Redhawks: 
X: @SEMOBaseball
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Listen: SEMO ESPN 93.5 FM or 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
 
Game Notes (PDF)
Media Guide (PDF)


Redhawks Head Across the River for Tuesday Midweek at Southern Illinois
Southeast Missouri Baseball (22-10) will make the short trip across the Mississippi River to take on longtime rival Southern Illinois (12-18) in Tuesday midweek action. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m., CT. from Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
 
Sawyers vs. SIU
Tuesday's meeting between the Redhawks and Salukis marks the 17^th meeting between the two programs in 10 seasons under Head Coach Andy Sawyers. SEMO currently holds a 4-12 overall record against the Salukis in Sawyers' tenure as SIU swept the series last season. In 2024, SEMO swept the series including a 3-2 victory in Carbondale before completing the sweep with an 8-5 victory in Cape Girardeau. 
 
Weekend Recap
Southeast Missouri Baseball suffered a setback this past weekend at Lindenwood dropping two-of-three in St. Charles. The two teams battled in the series opener to a 3-2 final score. DH Joe Hall roped a two-out, two-RBI double in the ninth inning to setup the game-tying run in scoring position. The Redhawks could not get the run across, falling in game one. Friday's game two saw an immaculate performance from RHP Andrew Carroll. Carroll (6-1) picked up a complete game shutout as he mowed through the Lions. Carroll allowed just three hits and punched out a season-high five opposing hitters to pick up his sixth win of the season in just 96 pitches. SEMO outhit Lindenwood by an 11-3 mark led by Cal Sullivan and Ryan Lopetegui who each had a pair of hits. Saturday's series finale saw the Redhawks' offense go cold as the Lions captured the series victory with a 7-1 victory. SEMO pounded out nine hits but could only bring across a run driven in by catcher Tank Sims. The Redhawks concluded the weekend with a 6-3 record in OVC play. 
 
Nation's Top Defense
After 32 games in 2026, Southeast Missouri Baseball stands atop Division I baseball in fielding percentage. The Redhawks are fielding at a .988 clip which is the nation's top mark as they edged past Incarnate Word (.987) and Oregon State (.986). The Redhawks have five players who are fielding a perfect 1.000 this season. 
 
Carroll Shoves
RHP Andrew Carroll had a career-outing on Friday evening as he pitched his second complete game of the season. Carroll (6-1) made his seventh start of the season Friday and shut out the Lions to pick up his sixth victory of 2026. He struck out a season-high five opposing hitters and threw just 96 pitches to pick up the win. He has thrown 41.1 innings this season and has an ERA of 4.14. He has punched out 26 hitters and surrendered just 19 earned runs this year. 
 
Hey-O JoJo
RHP JoJo Keldsen had a strong outing out of the bullpen on Saturday afternoon as he pitched the final 1.2 innings of the contest. Keldsen held the Lions to no hits for his season-low and did not allow a run for the fourth time or a walk for the sixth time this season. Keldsen picked up his first save of the season as well last Tuesday night against Murray State. 
 
Nard Dog
LHP Ranard Grace pitched a season-long 3.1 innings in Saturday's contest. Grace, who has pitched 20.1 innings this season out of the bullpen, allowed just one run on three hits against LU. He allowed no walks for the fifth time this season. Overall, Grace has a 2.66 ERA in 11 appearances and has struck out 22 opposing hitters. He has allowed just six earned runs on 17 hits in 2026. 
 
Welcome Back, Champ
Outfielder Caleb Champion found his way into the hit column for the first time in 2026 on Friday evening. Champion went 1-1 at the plate on Friday and scored his first run of the season in Thursday's opener. He has played in 15 games this season primarily as a defensive replacement and has five at-bats this season. 
 
Up to Third
Right fielder Ryan Lopetegui entered the top three in doubles on the team after recording a two-bagger in Friday's contest. Lopetegui now has six doubles this season and is tied for third on the squad in doubles. Cal Sullivan leads the club in doubles with 11. This season, Lopetegui is hitting .311 in 27 games played (26 starts) with 32 hits, six doubles, and three home runs. He has driven in 26 RBIs. 
 
Impressive
Infielder Dakota Joggerst recorded his second game this season with three RBIs. In Friday's contest, Joggerst led the team by driving in three RBIs with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning before adding a two-RBI single in the ninth inning for insurance runs. Joggerst has driven in 16 RBIs this season and is hitting .359 at the plate over 25 games played (24 starts) and has struck out just 10 times. 
 
Found the Stat
Earlier this season, outfielder Caleb Klein tied a SEMO Baseball program record. In the second game of the series at Western Illinois, Klein stole four bases in the same game to tie the single-game record for stolen bases in a game. He tied former Redhawk Lance Craft who stole four bases during the 1997 campaign against Murray State in Murray, Ky. Klein has swiped nine bases so far this season and leads the squad in that category.