Semoball

Arkansas State too much for Southeast Missouri State baseball team

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 theme of the game was evident. Southeast could not produce offensively, and Arkansas State capitalized multiple times with two outs. The tale of the two scenarios proved costly for the Redhawks (13-12). It was another long outing for Southeast pitchers, as 10 hurlers saw action.

Bryan McNeely lasted only two innings. Southeast head coach Andy Sawyers did not want to tax the pitcher coming off an injury.

"In hindsight, we should have let him go more," he said. "The plan was to build up a pitch count with him, especially with him coming off an injury."

After a scoreless and hitless first inning for both, Sky-Lar Culver changed that for Arkansas State (17-8), hitting an opposite field home run to left off, putting the Red Wolves up 1-0.

Not to be outdone, Southeast answered with a solo homer of its own from Hunter Southerland in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at 1-1. It was Southerland's third of the year.

The Red Wolves made it 3-1 in the third, scoring both runs with two outs.

Sawyers spoke on the difficulty of not being able to get off the field.

"When you have runners on base and the pitcher is able to get off the field, it builds momentum for the defense," he said. "They(Arkansas State) were really good with two outs and two strikes. They got some big hits."

The fifth inning would be a forgettable one for Southeast as the Red Wolves widened their lead to break the game open with five runs.

The Redhawks made two pitching changes in the fifth, as the Red Wolves batted around.

Daniel Bergtholdt took the loss for Southeast. Zachary Patterson, came in relief during the third inning and got the win for Arkansas State.

The Red Wolves would add three more insurance runs to make the final score.

Hunter Southerland's two hits lead the Redhawks.

Arkansas State finished with 15 hits compared to just three for the Redhawks. Southeast returns to conference play this weekend on the road at Eastern Illinois for a three-game series.

Arkansas St. 012 050 103 -- 11 15 0
Southeast 010 000 100 -- 2 3 1

WP -- Zachary Patterson (3-1). LP -- Daniel Bergtholdt(2-4). HR -- Sky-Lar Culver (ARST); Hunter Southerland (SE). 3B -- Alex Nielsen (SE). 2B -- Drew Tipton (ARST); Kyle MacDonald (ARST),

Multiple hits -- ARST: Tipton 3-5, MacDonald 2-6, Culver 3-4, Justin Felix 2-3.

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