April 22, 2006

Box Score

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Saturday, April 22, 2006) - Despite being up against the Ohio Valley's best pitcher, Shawn Kelley, in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday, the Redhawks had no problem scoring runs in the nightcap. Southeast picked up an 8-4 victory in the second game, avenging a 7-4 loss in the first contest.

The Governor's (22-17, 6-8 OVC) number two starter came into the series with a conference-leading 1.69 ERA. The junior right-hander couldn't stop Southeast (15-21, 6-8 OVC) though, as they roughed up Kelley (2-4) for 5 runs on 10 hits in 3.2 innings pitched.

The Redhawks got things rolling in the bottom of the third when Omar Padilla led off the inning with a single to third. Padilla advanced to third on Aaron Rave's single to center, and then scored as Phillip Riley reached on a fielder's choice. Back-to-back singles then brought Riley across the plate.

Southeast went on to score three more in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one more in the sixth inning. The eight runs proved to be more than enough for SEMO starter Anthony Maupin, who continued to pitch impressively.

Maupin (4-3), who was two outs shy of his fifth consecutive complete game, pitched six scoreless innings until running until some problems in the top of the seventh. The senior game up four runs in the inning, but all of them were unearned after Riley committed two errors at third base. Josh Parham came in to record his second save and complete the twin bill split with Austin Peay.

One big inning in the first game kept the Redhawks from a sweep of Austin Peay. With a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning, Southeast starter Jamie McAlister gave up five runs to the Govs. McAlister (4-7) was nearly flawless before and after the seventh, allowing only two runs in the rest of the game. The staff ace worked all nine innings of the contest, allowed seven runs on 12 hits, struck out seven, and walked only one batter. He also caught two Austin Peay base runners sleeping.

With McAlister's one blemish, the reigning OVC Pitcher of the Year, Rowdy Hardy, was able to pick up the victory against Southeast. Hardy (7-2) worked 7.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 base hits.

Two of Southeast's runs against Hardy came in a brief comeback attempt in the eighth inning. Levi Olson singled to center, and advanced to second on Andrew Johnson's one-out walk. Riley and Dustin Pritchett each followed with RBI singles to bring Olson and Johnson across the plate.

Governors' closer Brad Daniel picked up his fifth save as he wrapped up the final one and two-thirds innings.

Padilla recorded two hits in each game, included his 11th double of the season in game one. The double ties him with Olson for the team-lead. He also scored a run in each game.

Riley extended his hitting streak to nine games with 1-4 showings in both matches. He had two runs and two RBIs in the nightcap, and another RBI in game one. The nine-game streak is the longest of the season for any Redhawk. Pritchett had a hit in each game, also, and has now hit safely in 7 straight.

Former Southeast star Kerry Robinson's 35-game hitting streak is the second ever longest hitting streak i the OVC, and now Austin Peay's Ryan Kane has tied that mark.  KAne was 1-4 in game one and 2-4 in the second game, and has now hit in 35 straight games.  The streak is currently the longest active streak in the nation.

Southeast will look to snap Kane's streak and pick up their second conference series win of the season with a victory tomorrow against the Governors. The two teams will square off at 1:00 p.m. in the series finale at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The game can also be heard live on 1220 KGIR or via the internet at www.kgir.com.