May 2, 2006

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

Southeast begins a four game homestand on Wednesday evening as they entertain the Indians of Arkansas State University. First pitch at Capaha Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The contest completes a home-and-home series this season, after Southeast started their season in Jonesboro, Ark. The Redhawks lost the game 4-3, and have now lost the last three games against the Indians. Southeast still leads the alltime series with ASU, however, 20-19.

Scouting Southeast (16-26)

The Redhawks snapped a five game losing streak last week with a 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon at Eastern Illinois. Two of those five losses came against Big XII opponents #30 Kansas and Missouri at the Best of the Midwest Tournament in Kansas City, Kan.

Despite the skid, Andrew Graham has been hot at the plate lately. The freshman outfielder has hit safely in six of his last seven games, including the last four straight. In Sunday's win, Graham recorded three hits, and he is one of only four Redhawks who have had three three-hit games this season. His .305 average is good for second on the team, and he has also swiped three bases in as many attempts.

Derek Herbig is scheduled to make the start on the mound for Southeast. Herbig pitched 4.2 innings in a start against Kansas last Tuesday, giving up six runs on six hits to the Jayhawks, but only one of those runs was earned. The senior southpaw is 2-3 on the season with a 5.02 ERA.

Scouting Arkansas State (19-22)

The Indians come into the midweek game experiencing some problems as of late. They have lost their last six games, including a two-game sweep by Middle Tennessee this past weekend. Sunday's game was rained out. Currently, the Indians are ranked last in the Sun Belt Conference in hitting, and next to last in pitching.

Arkansas State batters have hit a combined .292, and have been carried by the performance this season of 2B Brett Kinning and C Josh Yates. Kinning is among league leaders with a .379 average, and Yates is close behind at .368. Yates, a junior backstop, leads the team with 10 homers and 45 RBIs. Meanwhile, Kinning leads with 44 runs scored and has stolen 13 bases in 15 tries.

On the hill for ASU will be LHP Joel Boeschen. Boeschen got the nod against Southeast earlier this season, holding the Redhawks to one run on one hit in 4.1 innings. At 2-7 this season, he has a 6.67 ERA and has thrown 58.0 innings in 11 starts.

Radio: If you can't make it to the ballpark, every pitch can be heard live on 1220 KGIR or on the internet at www.kgir.com