April 2, 2008

Game Notes

LIVE STATS: Up-to-the-second stats are available for the game at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/evansville/baseball/?tab=baseball&path=baseball.

SERIES HISTORY: Southeast leads the all-time series 28-19-1. The Purple Aces won the last meeting, 7-6, on March 1, 2006 in Evansville. Daniel Schuh took the loss for the Redhawks, who fell to 4-4 early in the 2006 campaign.

TEAM MATCHUP: Southeast is battling to stay above .500 on the season while Evansville has struggled to a 3-21 mark thus far.

LAST GAME: SEMO pulled the upset with a 12-8 victory at No. 6 Vanderbilt Tuesday. The Redhawks notched 15 base hits with their 4-run top of the eighth proving to be the difference. Jim Klocke led the offensive attack with four singles and two RBIs. Nick Harris hit a towering 3-run home run far beyond the elevated wall down the left field line. Dustin Renfrow earned the victory whlie Jake Kemper closed the door for his third save in as many appearances.

WAGNER HONORED: Redshirt junior first basemen Matt Wagner was named OVC Player of the Week Monday for last week's performance at the plate. In three games, he batted .625 with two home runs, one double and eight RBIs. Last Tuesday, he registered two hits, including a solo home run estimated at 425 ft. against Missouri State. The following day, he hit a clutch 3-run double to put Southeast ahead of the Bears, 7-6, in the bottom of the 7th inning. Saturday he hit a towering 2-run home run and was also hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run at Tennessee-Martin. He added two RBI singles yesterday at Vanderbilt. He carries a current 11-game hitting streak into today's contest. During that span, he is hitting .400 (18-45) with four home runs, one double and 16 RBIs.

HOME RUN BIRRAGE: Redhawks hitters have blasted 29 home runs over the first 18 games, including a season-high six in the blowout victory over Tennessee Tech to open OVC play on March 21. Tyrell Cummings and Matt Wagner lead the team with six long balls. Nick Harris and Justin Wheeler sit third on the team with four long balls.

THREE OF A KIND: Three Redhawks were named to the Preseason All-OVC Team that was announced prior to the OVC Media Day Teleconference. 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.

HOGAN APPROACHING ANOTHER MILESTONE: Head Coach Mark Hogan is two games away from recording his 400th victory as the Southeast head coach. His Southeast record stands at 398-330-1 with the current campaign being his 14th with the program. Hogan has led SEMO to the OVC Postseason Tournament in every one of his previous 13 seasons at the helm. Last season, he became the all-time wins leader, surpassing legendary head coach Joe Uhls with his 374th career victory on April 1, 2006.