May 4, 2006

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Thursday, May 04, 2006) - After Wednesday's game against Arkansas State was cancelled, Southeast hosts OVC foe Eastern Kentucky for a three-game set this weekend at Capaha Field.  A doubleheader on Saturday will begin at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday's series finale is slated for 1:00 p.m. The Colonels swept Southeast last season, and the Redhawks have lost the last seven games against EKU. The last Southeast victory was the first game of a doubleheader on April 12, 2003. Southeast is 19-24 all time against the Colonels.

Scouting Southeast (16-26, 7-11 OVC) 

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. After Wednesday's rain-out, Southeast's record is identical to the record at this point last season. After 42 games last season, Southeast was 16-26 and 7-11 in the OVC.  With nine games of OVC play left, the Redhawks ended last season 8-1 in conference games to earn a spot in the OVC Baseball Tournament.    

Andrew Graham looks to lead a similar charge after having a hot bat 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.   

Despite recent struggles, Josh Parham was nearly perfect in an outing last Sunday. In a relief outing agianst EIU, the southpaw threw five hitless, scoreless innings, and allowed only one runner to reach base with a walk. The junior out of Jackson, Mo. picked up his first win this season and is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA.

Scouting Eastern Kentucky (21-20, 10-7 OVC) 

The Colonels come into this weekend coming off a mid-week loss at the hands of Marhall. EKU went toe-to-toe with Marshall in an offensive explosion, but ultimately fell 14-12. At 10-7 in the OVC, Eastern Kentucky is currently in third place in the league.

Eastern Kentucky's .307 team batting average leads the OVC, and they also lead the league in homers (48), doubles (78), slugging (.473), and on-base (.394). Charlie Yarbrough has been named OVC Player of the Week twice this season, and is a force for the Colonels. He leads the league with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .739 slugging percentage. He is hitting .366 thi season, and additionally leads the team with 39 runs, 12 doubles, and a .473 OBP.

Charlie Friederich has been honored twice by the OVC this year as well as the Pitcher of the Week. The freshman lefty is 7-1 with a 2.25 ERA, and he has struck out 75 batters in only 56.0 innings. He has not allowed a home run this season, and is holding opposing abtters to a .214 average.

Radio: Every pitch this weekend can be heard live on 1220 KGIR.  The broadcast with Erik Sean and Jess Bolen is also webstreamed live and is available on www.kgir.com.