Kyle Miller sets career appearance record with SEMO Baseball

SEMO’s Kyle Miller celebrates after recording the final out of the Redhawks’ 9-5 win over UT Martin on Saturday, May 18, at Capaha Field.

Clay Herrell ~ cherrell@semoball.com

Before diving into the storybook collegiate career of Kyle Miller, let’s do an exercise.

Think back to the 2021 and 2022 Redhawks baseball teams that won the OVC Tournament.

Who was right in the middle of it late in the game? If you said Miller, you would be spot on.

Miller arrived to Southeast Missouri State by way of Eureka High School in 2021.

Four seasons later, Miller has rings and his name in the record books at SEMO.

He recently set the career record for appearances when he made his 82nd appearance last weekend against UT Martin.

“It’s just super awesome,” Miller said. “I can’t do this without teammates, coaches and family. I’m glad they trust me to go out there and pitch more than anybody in SEMO history. That’s pretty cool to say.”

Not only does the record speak to the trust head coach Andy Sawyers has in Miller, but also to his ability to stay healthy.

“They say that sometimes the best ability is availability,” Sawyers said. “Kyle has been out there for four years. I told Kyle when he went through the line for senior day that we’ve recruited a lot of really good players in our time, but he might be the most important player I’ve ever recruited. When you think of all of our huge wins we’ve had since I’ve been here, it seems like Kyle has been on the mound at the end of every single one.”

Miller credits the training staff for helping keep him ready at all times.

“We have a really good training program with the weight room staff,” Miller said. “They get our lifts in and make sure we’re staying healthy. I wouldn’t say I’m completely healthy, I’m a little banged up, but they get me in a good spot to go out and play.”

Miller also holds another record, back in 2023 he set the career saves record at SEMO.

But, when reflecting on his career, the personal accolades aren’t what he thinks of first.

“Winning two championships has been pretty awesome with these guys,” Miller said. “Hopefully we can go get number three next weekend.”

With the Redhawks preparing to begin Ohio Valley Conference tournament play at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, Miller will be a critical piece if they hope to win another title.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Miller said of the OVC Tournament. “There’s a different buzz and you can feel it in the air. From pitch one everybody’s up and playing for each other.”