CHARLESTON, Ill. — Southeast Missouri Baseball (31-14, 12-7) fell to Eastern Illinois (26-15, 13-6) with a final score of 5–3 on Friday night at Frost Field. SEMO managed three runs on three hits, including a home run, but Eastern Illinois secured the win with consistent scoring across multiple innings.
EIU took an early lead in the second inning when Zak Goodwin's advance to third on a sacrifice and subsequent groundout allowed him to score, putting Eastern Illinois ahead 1–0.
The Redhawks equalized in the third inning.
Brooks Kettering walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before
Joe Hall's RBI single brought him home, tying the score at 1–1.
The Panthers regained the lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Mike O'Conor, making it 2–1.
In the fifth inning, SEMO responded, as Kettering walked and then scored on
Caleb Klein's two-run homer, putting the Redhawks ahead 3–2. However, Eastern Illinois tied the game again with Tyler Castro scoring on a single, leveling the score at 3–3.
Eastern Illinois inched ahead in the sixth when O'Conor scored on a double by Dylan Drumke, giving Eastern Illinois a 4–3 lead.
The lead extended to 5–3 in the seventh inning after Brett Stanley scored on a throwing error following a hit-by-pitch and an error that allowed him to reach base.
The Redhawks could not cut into the lead in the final innings as Eastern Illinois secured the win with a final score of 5–3.
Southeast Mo. St. Top Performers
Caleb Klein
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- 1 home run
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
Brooks Kettering
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- 2 runs
- 2 walks
Caden Kickhaefer
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- 2 innings pitched
- 2 strikeouts
- 1 hit allowed
Looking ahead, Southeast Missouri State will travel to face Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, May 2, in Charleston, Illinois.
