March 13, 2008

Game Notes

SERIES HISTORY: Memphis leads the all-time series against Southeast, 29-19. Last season, the Tigers swept a two-game midweek series at Capaha Field, outscoring the Redhawks, 12-6 and 19-8, on April 24-25, 2007.

LAST GAME: Southeast fell 9-5 to Saint Louis Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks held a two-run advantage after the sixth inning and were tied after the seventh, but could not overcome the Billikens four-run ninth. Matt Wagner led the offensive attack with a solo home run and two RBIs.

TEAM MATCHUP: The Redhawks and Tigers are both looking to go above the .500 mark this weekend. Southeast stands at 4-5 while Memphis is 6-8. The Tigers are on a current two-game winning streak after taking the final game at Georgia last weekend and a Tuesday matchup at Arkansas State.

HOT STARTS: Junior college transfers Justin Wheeler and Tyrell Cummings have added power bats to the middle on the batting order. Wheeler is tied for the team lead with a .368 average and leads the squad with 14 hits, including two doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs. Cummings leads the team with 13 RBIs and is tied with Matt Wagner for a team-high with three home runs, with two coming in the final game against Northern Colorado.

FRESHMEN FINDING THEIR STROKE: Two local true freshmen have added a recent boost to the offensive punch. Trenton Moses, from Advance, is tied for the team lead with a .368 average. He is 7-19 in his early career with a double and three RBIs. Cape Girardeau native Blake Slattery has notched two consecutive multi-hit games, including his first two career RBIs and first extra base hit, coming on a double Monday against Lyon College.

HARRIS HEALING: Sophomore Nick Harris suffered a right knee injury during the first game of the season on Feb. 22 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He has been rehabilitating daily with athletic trainer Chris McAndrew and is expected to return to the lineup soon. Tony Spencer has filled in nicely at shortstop and is hitting .299 with nine hits and four RBIs from the leadoff spot.

THREE OF A KIND: Three Redhawks were named to the Preseason All-OVC Team that was announced prior to the OVC Media Day Teleconference on Tuesday. Senior right-hander Dustin Renfrow, redshirt junior first basemen Matt Wagner and sophomore catcher Jim Klocke all earned a spot on the squad based on votes from the league's 10 head coaches.

GRIDIRON GANG: Due to multiple rounds of ice and snow in the Cape Girardeau area, the baseball team was been forced to practice inside at Houck Field House and on the FieldTurf at Houck Stadium. The grounds crew at Capaha Field, headed by John Amschler, has worked hard to prepare the natural grass for playing conditions. The Redhawks have recently been able to have full practices at Capaha Field as the weather has improved.