Southeast Baseball

Every baseball player dreams of competing in October and for the Southeast Missouri State squad, that will happen twice this week.

Fourth-year Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Andy Sawyers is still four-plus months away from leading his Redhawks into a game that counts in the standings, but there was no hiding his excitement to get back on the field turf at Capaha Park Monday for the first of six weeks of practices, scrimmages, and a pair of exhibition games.

Emotions were riding high following the Cape Catfish falling to Chillicothe in Game 3 of the Prospect League Championship Series Tuesday at Capaha Field including those of manager Steve Larkin. “It’s over for now,” Larkin said. “It hurts right now. But after a week, I’ll be ready to be back in that dugout.”

Summers are supposed to be centered on beaches, baseball, and barbecue, but certainly NOT biology. However, when you are a student-athlete at Southeast Missouri State, summer may mean several things, but classwork IS a part of it.

The first lesson that Mark Wasikowski learned upon being hired at Southeast Missouri State as an assistant baseball coach was that there is value in searching for bass as much as there is baseball talent. Wasikowski was a 20-something coach who had never been to Cape Girardeau in his life, but his first day in town upon being hired by legendary Redhawk coach Mark Hogan began early.

The Cape Catfish played in three games last weekend (two at Capaha Field and one at Quincy) and there was no shortage of fans seeking to watch the best team in the Prospect League’s West Division compete. Those games (Friday through Sunday) drew over 2,000 fans in combined attendance despite the fact that the vast majority of the college-level athletes participating are unknown to the fans paying to watch them. And the Prospect League isn’t alone in this regard.

SIKESTON — When Sikeston native and former Bulldog Lance Rhodes answered the phone call from Southern Illinois University athletic director Jerry Kill about becoming its new head baseball coach, he was in awe. After all — on Monday — Rhodes was announced as, not only, the program’s eighth baseball coach, but it also marked the beginning of what will be his first head coaching position...

Following his redshirt junior season last spring, Trevor Ezell knew he wanted to play in the Southeastern Conference. Having already graduated, the then-Southeast Missouri State infielder could go to any college in the nation and play immediately as a grad transfer...

Southeast Missouri State baseball will sit out the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time since 1994 but didn't miss out on a couple of accolades. Shortstop Tyler Wilber was named first-team all-conference, and pitcher Noah Niznik made the all-freshman team, the league announced Tuesday afternoon...

Southeast Missouri State baseball ended its season with an 8-7 loss to Morehead State on Saturday in Morehead, Kentucky. The Eagles (37-19, 19-11 Ohio Valley Conference) swept the Redhawks, who entered the series with control over its postseason destiny. Instead, Southeast (23-32, 10-20) will miss out on the OVC Tournament for the first time since 1994...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team was eliminated from contention for a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with an 8-3 loss to Morehead State on Friday in Morehead, Kentucky. Southeast fell to 23-31 overall and 10-19 in the OVC. Devon Wilson and Andrew Keck had home runs for the Redhawks. ...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team dropped its third straight Ohio Valley Conference game Thursday, falling 13-9 to Morehead State in the opener of the a three-game series in Morehead, Kentucky. The Colonels blasted four home runs in the game, including two by Connor Pauly...

For the 10th time this season, the Southeast Missouri State baseball team found itself in a rubber game with a chance to win a weekend series. For the ninth time, the Redhawks came up short in the series finale, falling to Eastern Kentucky this time...

Facing one of the best relievers in the country, Southeast Missouri State center fielder Danny Wright produced a walk-off single to lift the Redhawks to a crucial 3-2 win over Eastern Kentucky in 12 innings Friday at Capaha Field. Aaron Ochsenbein, who entered with a 0.43 ERA in 42 innings, took the loss for EKU (26-22, 12-13 Ohio Valley Conference) as he gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings...

For the first time this season, the Southeast Missouri State baseball team won an Ohio Valley Conference series, sweeping Belmont in a doubleheader Sunday to take the three-game series. The Redhawks won Game 1 10-6 and notched a 3-1 seven-inning victory in Game 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. Belmont had won the first game of the series Friday...

Southeast Missouri State softball claimed a share of the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title and broke a school record for wins in a season all in one night Friday. The Redhawks swept last-place Morehead State in a doubleheader at the Southeast Softball Complex, 7-0 and then 9-0 in five innings, to equal Jacksonville State's 17-5 conference record. ...

Ashley Ellis scored on a wild pitch in the second and Sarah Messex's home run in the third inning propelling the Southeast Missouri State softball team to a 3-1 road win Wednesday at Saint Louis University. The Redhawks improved to 39-15 and left the "Gateway City" tying their own record for the most wins in a season during the NCAA Division-1 era. They last achieved the feat back in 1996 in a 39-9 season...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team split with the first-place team in the Ohio Valley Conference on Sunday to finish the weekend with a 3-1 record. After getting no-hit in a 1-0 Game 1 loss, Southeast rebounded with a 3-1 win over Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Redhawks swept Tennessee Tech in a doubleheader Friday...

Six Southeast Missouri State pitchers combined for a five-hitter as the Redhawks defeated Division II McKendree University 5-1 on Tuesday at Capaha Field. The victory was the third straight for Southeast, which improved to 19-23 overall. The Redhawks led the entire game, scoring two unearned runs in the first inning on a two-run single by A. Nelson...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team pounced on Saint Louis early and then held on for an 8-4 win on Monday at Capaha Field. Southeast scored seven runs in the first two innings and then didn't record a hit after the fourth inning. That early lead was enough, though, as Aaron Stretch tossed a scoreless final three innings to record the save...

Austin Blazevic belted a three-run home run to break a tie game as Southeast Missouri State baseball avoided a sweep by Tennessee Tech (17-20, 5-13 Ohio Valley Conference), winning the final game of the series 9-4 at Capaha Field on Saturday. Blazevic and Andrew Keck each went 2-for-4, with three RBIs and two RBIs, respectively, while Devon Wilson went 3-for-3. Logan Winder earned the win in relief for Southeast (17-23, 7-15 OVC) going 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and allowed four hits...

Southeast Missouri State baseball had a chance to climb up the conference standings when it faced last-place Tennessee Tech in a doubleheader. However, the Redhawks fell behind early and could not overcome the long ball as they dropped both games Friday at Capaha Field, 9-3 and 13-8...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team got an extra day off thanks to Mother Nature. Due to rain, the opener of the three-game series with Tennessee Tech will be played at 11 a.m. today at Capaha Park. The second game of the series will be played at 6 p.m. today as originally scheduled, and the final game is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday...

The old adage is life comes full circle, and in that vein, now is as good a time as any to announce I'm once again the interim sports editor of the Southeast Missourian. I officially started Thursday, and I'm excited to once again have a prominent role in planning what the sports department covers. ...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team suffered its fifth loss in the last six games as Arkansas State swept the season series with an 8-4 victory Tuesday in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Southeast (16-21) scored first, scratching a run across in the second thanks to a Hunter Southerland double, a Danny Wright single and a Andrew Keck RBI ground out...

Southeast Missouri State softball continued its dominance by shutting out Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee-Martin 1-0 and 6-0 in a doubleheader Wednesday in Martin, Tennessee. In the first game, Ashley Ellis singled in the first inning to score Mykaela Arellanes for the game-clinching run. Haley Thogmartin recorded her 13th win of the season, pitching a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out three...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team was again victimized by a big inning as the Redhawks were throttled by Saint Louis University 15-6 at Billiken Sports Complex in St. Louis. For four innings, the Redhawks (15-18) battled the Billikens (13-18) to a 5-5 tie. In bottom of the fifth, the Billikens scored seven runs to open the game up. Kevin Jordan nearly hit for the cycle going 4-for-5 with four hits, including a home run and four RBIs for the Billikens, who had 15 hits overall...

Southeast Missouri State outlasted Jacksonville State 9-8 at Capaha Field on Saturday to even the series at one game apiece. The Redhawks were staked to a lead for much of the game and withstood a furious rally by the Gamecocks. Head coach Andy Sawyers commended his team for not flinching in adversity...

The Redhawks dropped their third straight game Friday, losing to Jacksonville State in 10 innings. Jacksonville State (15-14, 7-3 OVC) won 4-3 in at Capaha Park. In the top of the 10th inning, Jacksonville State got a leadoff double from Cole Frederick and benefited as Southeast's Austin Sachse walked Alex Webb next and intentionally walked Nic Gaddis to load the bases. ...

Southeast Missouri State baseball had the benefit of a strong start and an early lead Tuesday night at Capaha Field. Unfortunately for the Redhawks, they could not hold on as they dropped an 8-2 tilt to Missouri State University. The Bears were led by Dakota Kotowski's two home runs and starting pitcher Forrest Barnes, who threw a complete game...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team continued its strong start to Ohio Valley Conference play with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Eastern Kentucky on Monday afternoon at the Southeast Softball Complex. Southeast improved to 27-8 overall and 5-1 in the OVC with 4-1 and 9-7 victories over the Colonels. It was the Redhawks' first games in over a week and came against a team that entered Monday tied for second in the conference...

Southeast Missouri State The Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader between Southeast Missouri State softball and Morehead State scheduled for Friday was cancelled due to weather. A makeup date has not been set. Rain was in the forecast and the initial start of 1 p.m. ...

Southeast Missouri State baseball played for only the second time under new home light this season. Unfortunately, the second game yielded the same result, as the Redhawks dropped an 11-2 decision to Arkansas State University at Capaha Park on Tuesday...

The first game under the lights did not go as planned for the Southeast Missouri State baseball team. After overcoming a deficit to beat Memphis earlier in the week, they could not replicate the task dropping a 4-2 decision against Austin Peay University in front of more than 1,200 spectators at Capaha Field...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team has been in nearly every game this season, but at times has struggled to find a way to finish. The Redhawks found a way Tuesday as they rallied to defeat Memphis 7-6 at Capaha Field. Coach Andy Sawyers was pleased with how his team rebounded from a first inning in which Southeast gave up four runs...

Junior left-hander Dylan Dodd struck out 11 batters to help the Southeast Missouri State baseball team break a four-game losing streak with an 8-6 victory over SIU Edwardsville in the opener of the three-game Ohio Valley Conference series Friday in Edwardsville, Illinois...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team notched just two hits and suffered its fourth consecutive defeat Wednesday, falling 4-1 to rival Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Illinois. SIU (10-5) opened the scoring in the third when Grey Epps doubled down the left-field line to drive in J.T. Weber. The Salukis tacked on two more runs next time up thanks to a couple errors...

When Southeast Missouri State crafted the 2019 baseball schedule, front-loading the slate with a litany of home games, the administration didn't envision a stadium without working lights. But that's the situation at hand, with Southeast pushing up start times for numerous early-season contests in order to get nine innings completed before darkness falls...

In a battle of red birds, it was the Redbirds who grounded the Redhawks on Tuesday, as Illinois State defeated Southeast Missouri State 18-6 at Capaha Field. The Redbirds (9-5) got on the board in the top of the first inning as Jordan Libman had an RBI double scoring John Rave, putting them up 1-0...

Southeast Missouri State pitchers Dylan Dodd and Logan Winder combined for 13 strikeouts as the Redhawks opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 4-1 victory over the University of Tennessee Martin on Friday at Capaha Field. The duo did not walk a batter in helping the Redhawks improve to 10-3 on the season...

Southeast Missouri State baseball junior Austin Blazevic was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Blazevic was 9-of-18 in four games last week and had a .722 slugging percentage thanks to three extra-base hits -- two doubles and a triple. The junior college transfer also scored seven runs and produced five RBIs while accumulating a .526 on-base percentage...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball picked up its second sweep of the season, winning both games of a doubleheader comfortably against Purdue-Fort Wayne on Saturday. Due to incoming inclement weather, Sunday's series finale was moved up to Saturday...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team struck for three runs in the first inning in sending junior left-hander Dylan Dodd to his first victory as a Redhawk, defeating Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne 12-4 on Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Capaha Field...

Top-ranked Vanderbilt scored five runs over the first two innings on its way to an 11-3 victory over the Southeast Missouri State baseball team Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redhawks, playing their first game away from Cape Girardeau this season, scored all three of their runs in the fourth inning in falling to 5-3 on the season...

Southeast Missouri State baseball bounced back from its first loss of the season with an emphatic 14-2 win over visiting Western Illinois on Saturday at Capaha Field. A day after stranding 11 base runners in a 9-2 loss, Southeast (5-1) notched 14 hits and took advantage of five walks and five hit batters to score 14 runs or more for the first time since April 10, 2018...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team saw its perfect start to the season come to an end Friday, falling 9-2 to Western Illinois at Capaha Field. The Redhawks never led as the Leathernecks, who entered winless, scored two runs in the third to take the lead for good and steadily built on that lead as the game progressed...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball continued its perfect start to the season, crushing NAIA Harris-Stowe 13-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Capaha Field. Hunter Southerland smacked a grand slam and a double, one of three Redhawks who recorded two hits against the Hornets. It was Southeast's fourth consecutive victory to start the season, and fourth in three days, after recording all three victories against Western Michigan on Sunday. It's the program's first 4-0 start since 2013...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team opened its season Saturday, but still has yet to complete a game. The Redhawks' opener was originally scheduled for Friday, but inclement weather pushed the game back a day. Then, the Redhawks, along with other athletic teams at the university and the Western Michigan team it faced, had to spend Saturday morning and early afternoon clearing snow from Capaha Field...