April 26, 2006

Box Score

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Wednesday, April 26, 2006) - After the Redhawks defeated Missouri in a 3-2 walk-off victory a month ago at Capaha Field, the Tigers had a ninth inning explosion of their own this afternoon at the Best of the Midwest tournament in Kansas City, Kan. Trailing by two heading into the ninth, Southeast gave up nine runs in the top of the ninth-inning as the Tigers sealed the loss for the Redhawks. Southeast completes a three-game season series with Missouri at 2-1.

Southeast (15-24) trailed 5-3 after eight innings, but the Tigers (19-20) scored nine runs on nine hits in the ninth inning, including two homers. Sikeston, Mo. native Jacob Priday hit a two-run blast in the ninth, and his second round-tripper of the day.

The Tigers' offensive explosion came after Southeast starter Phillip Riley held the Tigers hitless the first three innings. Riley struck out four and walked just one in 3.0 innings of work. In the fourth, Josh Parham retired the Missouri side in order.

The Redhawks were the first to score in the bottom of that inning. Levi Olson led off with a single up the middle. Andrew Graham followed with a two-base hit that advanced Olson to third. Aaron Rave drove Olson across the plate and moved Graham to third with a groundout to the second baseman, and Graham later scored on a single delivered by Chris Gibson.

Leading 2-0, Parham and the Redhawks surrendered the lead in the next frame, as Tiger shortstop Gary Arndt hit a three-run blast with the count full to make it 3-2 in favor of Mizzou. However, SEMO wasted no time tying the game back up. Jordan Payne led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left center, and immediately scored on a single through the right side by Daryl Graham.

Missouri recaptured the lead on the first pitch of the next inning, as Priday sent Jamie McAlister's first pitch in the game over the wall. There was no looking back for the Tigers, as they scored another run in the eighth, and exploded for nine in the final inning.

McAlister was tagged with the loss as his record on the season fell to 4-8. The home run was the only run he allowed in 2.0 innings. He gave up three hits and struck out two batters.

Olson was the leading hitter for Southeast in today's loss. The senior catcher was 2-5 at the plate with a run scored.

Meanwhile, RF Ryan Lollis was a Redhawk killer at the plate for Missouri. Lollis was 3-5 on the day, with a home run, 4 RBIs, and two runs scored. Priday was 2-5, and both of his hits were home runs. The Tigers smashed 17 hits and four home runs in the contest.

The Redhawks will return to conference play this weekend in Charleston, Ill. Southeast travels to Eastern Illinois for a three-game set against the Panthers. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., and they will wrap-up on Sunday at 1 p.m. also. As always, every pitch can be heard live on 1220 KGIR or on the Internet at www.kgir.com.