May 26, 2006

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By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

PADUCAH, Ky. (Thursday, May 25, 2006) - The Redhawks touched up OVC Pitcher of the Year Josh Ehmke for four runs in the top of the first inning as the Redhawks bat around their lineup to start out the game. However, Ehmke showed just why he earned Pitcher of the Year honors, settling down to no-hit Southeast for the next five and two-thirds innings as the Redhawks fell 11-5.

The Pitcher of the Year had trouble finding his control in the first, issuing walks to the first two batters of the game. Levi Olson took advantage of the situation with his team-leading 19th double of the season to drive in Omar Padilla from second base. After a couple of strikeouts, Ehmke (11-2) walked another before Phillip Riley knocked in two runners with a single to right. Aaron Rave then followed with a base knock of his own, giving the Redhawks an early 4-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Southeast (22-32) starter Phillip Riley had issues of his own in the bottom of the opening frame. The freshman gave up two doubles to lead off the inning, followed by a walk and then a three-run blast by Samford's (33-23) Parker Gargis. Riley (3-5) left the game after delivering just 19 pitches and recording one out. In a third of a inning, he was responsible for six runs (five earned) on four hits. Derek Herbig came on to close the inning, but the damage had already been done as the Bulldogs pulled ahead, 6-4.

The bulldogs went on to score three more in the second inning, along with solo runs in the fourth and seventh. Before the day was through, the number one seed in the OVC tallied 11 runs on 14 hits against the Southeast pitching staff.

Once Ehmke was out of the first, it was smooth sailing for the senior. Southeast Missouri could not manage to muster a single base hit off the lefty until the top of the seventh. Brent Lawson and Olson recorded back-to-back doubles, as the Redhawks scored their final run of the evening.

Ehmke finished the evening with 7.0 innings under his belt with 11 strikeouts and eight walks. The five runs on five hits that Southeast scored were the most runs scored off of the outstanding pitcher in OVC play this season.

Two Redhawk batters saw their hitting streaks come to an end at the hands of the OVC Pitcher of the Year. Omar Padilla was 0-3 with a walk and run scored as his team-high streak of 11 games was snapped. Dustin Pritchett also scored a run with a couple of free passes as his nine gamer ended with an 0-2 night at the plate.

For the Bulldogs, John Morgan, Bear Burnett, and Luke Peavy all lead the way with three-hit games at the plate. All three of them also batted in a pair of runs.

Southeast Missouri will continue play in the 2006 O'Reilly OVC Baseball Tournament from the loser's bracket. Their first task comes tomorrow at 11 a.m. as the Redhawks take on Austin Peay in an elimination game at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. For live baseball action, tune the radio to 1220 KGIR or visit www.kgir.com for the Internet webstream. Live stats for the game are also available at www.ovcsports.com.