May 21, 2006

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Sunday, May 21, 2006) - Shortstop Jordan Payne has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week for the week of May 22. It is the first time the senior has received the weekly honor, and he is the only Redhawk to earn the Player of the Week distinction this year. Jamie McAlisterwas named pitcher of the week on two occasions this season.

In his last four games of his career a Capaha Field, the senior shortstop was outstanding at the plate. He batted .412 (7-17) while helping Southeast Missouri to a 3-1 record last week, including a pair of wins over Tenneessee Tech that guaranteed the Redhawks the sixth and final berth in the upcoming O'Reilly OVC Baseball Tournament. The Bolivar, Mo. native slugged for a 1.059 percentage over the course of the week, including three home runs and two doubles. He also drove in seven runs and scored seven times on his own.

Payne saved the biggest game of his career for the Redhawks' biggest game of the 2006 season. Needing a win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday to earn the final spot in the O'Reilly OVC Tournament, Payne went 4-6 with two homers, a double, five RBIs and four runs scored. The game also marked the second time in as many weeks that he recorded a multi-homer affair.

Earlier in the week against Saint Louis on Tuesday, the shortstop played another large role. With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth and Chris Gibson on third base, Payne laid down a perfect bunt that squirted between the third baseman and shortstop. He hustled into second base with a bunt double, driving in the game's winning run.

The senior concludes his final season with the Redhawks with a .269 batting average, and he leads the team with seven home runs and 39 runs scored. He also ranks second on the squad with 27 RBIs and a .515 slugging percentage. This is his second consecutive campaign where he has led the team in home runs, after tying for the team lead in 2005 with five.

Payne looks to continue his hot hitting on Wednesday evening in the opening round of the 200 O'Reilly OVC Baseball Tournament. Payne and the Redhawks will take on Eastern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. The game can be heard live on the radio at 1220 KGIR, and it will also be web streamed live at www.kgir.com