April 23, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Monday, April 23, 2007) Southeast Missouri State returns home to Capaha Field Tuesday and Wednesday after seven road games over the course of nine days. The Redhawks (25-15) host the Memphis Tigers (25-16) for two non-conference games this week: Tuesday's game will e played under the lights at 6 p.m., and first pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 4 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT: Southeast dropped two of three conference games at Austin Peay over the weekend. After being swept in Saturday's doubleheader, 4-2 and 4-0, Southeast rallied from a seventh inning, eight-run deficit to defeat the Goverors in extra innings Sunday. The Redhawks mustered just two runs ona combined seven hits in Saturday's doubleheader, and they were shutout for the first time this season in game two of the twinbill. On Sunday, the Redhawks scored 11 runs in the last three innings of regulation to comeback and ultimately beat Austin Peay 16-14 in 12 innings.

SOUTHEAST VS. MEMPHIS: The Redhawks trail in the all-time series, 17-25. Last season, Southeast played two midweek games at Memphis and lost each contest as they managed only one run in each of the games. On March 17, the Redhawks fell 5-1, and they lost the enxt day 15-1. Asif Shah was 3-for-7 in the series including an RBI.

ABOUT THE TIGERS: Memphis is 25-16 this year, including a 16-10 record against non-conference opponents; they are also 7-12 on the road.  The Tigers were ranked as high as 35th nationally three weeks ago in the USA Today Coaches Poll.  They are 4-4 against the Ohio Valley Conference, including two losses to both Samford ad Murray State and wins against UT-Martin, Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay.

Memphis is led offensivly by senior second baseman Bill Moss. Moss is tied for the Conference-USA lead with 10 home runs, and he is second on the team with a .331 average and 37 RBIs. Last year, he was 3-for-7 with an RBI and a run scored against the Redhawks. Meanwhile, Kyle Norrid, a senior third baseman, had his way with the Redhawks in both games last year. Norrid was 2-for-4 with a double on March 17, and in the series finale he went 4-for-4 at the dish with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs and three runs scored. Sophomore right-hander MAtt Yokley has been their top pitcher out of the bullpen. He has amde a team-high 17 appearances and has a 2.08 ERA.

RADIO:

Every Southeast baseball game can once again be heard live on the Redhawks Radio Network. Tune in to ESPN 1220 AM KGIR or listen to the live webcast available at www.espn1220.com

Erik Sean will call the play-by-play in the games against Memphis this week while Jess Bolen will provide the color commentary.