April 5, 2006

Box Score |  Photo Gallery

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Wednesday, April 05, 2006) - The bats in the Southeast Missouri dugouts certainly have come out of hibernation since last Wednesday's walk-off win over Missouri. After a season-high hit total (12) on Sunday against Murray State and a season-high run total (10) yesterday at SLU, the Redhawks offense put up new team bests in both categories this afternoon against Southern Illinois. Southeast scored 13 runs on 16 hits in a slugfest against the Salukis, holding on for a 13-11 non-conference victory.

Nine of Southeast's (11-15) 13 runs were scored in two innings as they plated five in the third and four more an inning later. The Redhawks roughed up Saluki (18-14) starter Cody Adam (1-2) in the third with four doubles from Levi Olson, Dustin Pritchett, Daniel Schuh, and Phillip Riley. Riley's drove in two baserunners with his two-bagger to right center in a pinch-hit appearance for Omar Padilla. Padilla left the game after being hit in the wrist by a pitch in the second.

Andrew Johnson, making only his second ever appearance in the starting lineup, delivered with what may be the feel good story of the season in the fourth inning. With Olson on first base, Johnson crushed his first career home run to straight away centerfield. Coming into yesterday's game against the Billikens, Johnson had never started in the lineup, but is now 4-9 in the last two games with a double, home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored.

Southeast scored single runs in the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh, and made the Saluki head coach Dan Callahan send eight pitchers to the mound before the game was through. Southeast hitters gave Southern Illinois trouble all game long, as they also left 13 runners on base, yet another season-high.

Once starter Asif Shah settled down after a few shaky innings early on, the Redhawks seemed to have the game under control. However, the defense made it interesting even with a 12-6 lead heading into the seventh inning. Southeast committed four errors that lead to seven unearned runs. Three of those unearned runs came in the top of the seventh after second baseman Daryl Graham failed to make a clean throw to first for the third out. With the bases loaded, Matt Carter balked for the second time in the inning to bring in a run, and Chris McCulloch scored two runs with single that brought the Salukis within three.

Despite giving up two more runs in the eighth, the Redhawks held on for their tenth home win as Jamie McAlister picked up his first save this season. Shah (1-1) hung on for his first career win in 6.1 innings of work. He allowed seven runs on seven hits and struck out four, but only three of those runs were earned by the Salukis.

Five Southeast hitters ended the game with multiple hits, and Olson and Moore each had three. Olson continues to have a hot bat, going 3-4 with a double, two runs, and an RBI. Moore was a perfect 3-3, drove in two and scored three times.

After coming on in a pinch-hit role, Riley hit two doubles and knocked in three. Southeast compiled five doubles in the game, the most since March 2 last year. The Redhawks hit five that day against Saint Louis University.

Mark Kelly led the Salukis with the bats all day long. He was 3-4 for SIU with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Redhawks will return to OVC action this weekend at Jacksonville State. Southeast will take-on the Gamecocks in a twinbill on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., and the third and final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game can be heard on 1220 KGIR or via the internet at www.kgir.com.