Redhawks Fall to `Breds in OVC Tourney Opener, 4-3 in 11 innings :: Redhawks will face to loser of Morehead State/Eastern Kentucky tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Redhawks will face to loser of Morehead State/Eastern Kentucky tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

May 25, 2005

PADUCAH, Kent. - (Wednesday, May 25, 2005) The Southeast Missouri State baseball team opened the 2005 O'Reilly Auto Parts Ohio Valley Conference Championships with a loss to No. 4 seed Murray State in 11 innings, 4-3 at Brooks Stadium Wednesday afternoon. The loss drops the Redhawks into to losers side of the bracket in the double elimination tournament.

The Redhawks (27-31) seemed to be in control of the game for the first eight innings and destined to win their first game against Murray State (25-30) in OVC tournament play.

Redhawks starter Joey Evans was nearly perfect for eight innings as he shutdown the `Breds holding them to no runs on only five hits. He held a 2-0 advantage heading into the ninth as he looked to complete his sixth game of the season.

Joey Evans pitched 8.1 innings allowing two runs on seven hits

Seth Hudson led-off with a single right pass Evans for the `Breds. He moved to second on a groundout by Clint Griggs for the first out of the season. Clean-up hitter Alex Stewart then doubled to rightfield to plate Hudson and knock Evans out of the game.

Jamie McAlister came in but was met with a RBI single by Tyler Pittman to tie the game at two runs apiece and sending the game into extra innings.

The Redhawks again grabbed the lead again in the top of the 11th when Brent Lawson reached on a error by Hudson. He later stole second to put him in scoring position with two outs. Jordan Payne then doubled down the leftfield line to plate Lawson to give them a 3-2 lead.

The `Breds would not go away as Griggs recorded a infield single with one out off of McAlister. Stewart walked to give the `Breds the tying and winning runs on base. That brought another matchup between Pittman and McAlister. Pittman again won the battle with the McAlister and ultimately the game as he hit the first pitch he saw to right center to plate Griggs and Stewart for the come from behind win.

The Redhawks struck first in the third inning as Eric Horstman scored on a balk by Craig Kraus for a 1-0 lead.

In the seventh Payne hit a solo shot over the leftfield fence to give the Redhawks a 2-0 advantage.

Payne went 2-4 a run scored and two RBI. He collected his fifth homerun of the season to tie him for the team lead and hit his 13th double.

Horstman went 2-3 with a run scored as he extended his hitting streak to a OVC-high 25 games. He also reached base safely for the 47th-straight game.

Lawson went 2-5 with his team-high 15th double and scored a run.

Bo Jenkins went 2-5 with a double. Jenkins again spearheaded an outstanding defensive game for the Redhawks as he recorded seven assists and helped the Redhawks turn four doubleplays.

Bo Jenkins turns a doubleplay in the 6th inning

Pittman led the `Breds with a 2-5 day with three RBIs including both the game-tying and game-winning RBIs.

McAlister (4-7) was collared with the loss allowing two runs on four hits in two innings of work.

Jon Ross Shelton (2-6) pitched three innings to pick up the win.

Both starters were solid, especially Evans who went 8.1 innings allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking two.

For the Redhawks it was their ninth one-run loss of the season as they now await the loser of the Eastern Kentucky/Morehead State game.

The Redhawks will play tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. at Brooks Stadium in Paducah.