CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southeast Missouri (23-10) secured a narrow 6-5 victory over Southern Illinois (12-19) on Tuesday night at Itchy Jones Stadium. Southeast Missouri's pitching staff recorded 15 strikeouts over nine innings, holding Southern Illinois to just six hits.
The Redhawks took an early lead in the first inning when
Caleb Klein reached on an error and scored on a fielder's choice by
Dakota Joggerst. The inning concluded with Southeast Missouri ahead 1-0.
In the second inning,
Andrew Ramirez advanced on a throwing error and scored on a groundout by
Mikey Rocha, extending the lead to 2-0.
Southern Illinois responded in the third inning, scoring an unearned run on a walk with the bases loaded, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
SEMO then added two more runs in the fourth inning with Klein's two-run homer, bringing the score to 4-1.
SIU surged in the sixth inning, scoring four unearned runs on a grand slam by Kyle Mager, taking a 5-4 lead.
The Redhawks responded right away and tied the game in the seventh inning when
Ryan Lopetegui doubled and scored on an RBI single by Ramirez later in the frame. The score was 5-5.
In the ninth inning, the Redhawks regained the lead as Ramirez reached on an error and scored on a double by
Tank Sims to take a 6-5 lead into the home half. LHP
Jackson Kranawetter slammed the door shut and picked up his sixth save of the season.
Southeast Missouri defeated Southern Illinois with a final score of 6-5.
Southeast Missouri Top Performers
Caleb Klein
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- 2 runs
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run
Ryan Lopetegui
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- 1 run
- 3 hits
- 1 double
Caden Kickhaefer
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- 3 innings pitched
- 7 strikeouts
- 2 hits allowed
Matt Wnukowski
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- 2 2/3 innings pitched
- 6 strikeouts
- 1 hit allowed
In their next game, the Redhawks will host Morehead State at 6 p.m. CT Friday, April 10 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
