April 11, 2008

Game Notes

SERIES HISTORY: Jacksonville State leads the all-time series 11-7. Southeast took two of three last season in Cape Girardeau in a closely contested series. The Gamecocks took game one, 4-3, in 10 innings while the Redhawks bounced back for a 5-3 win in the second game. Southeast used a three-run eighth inning to take the rubber match, 3-2.

TEAM MATCHUP: Southeast is 14-11 on the season, 5-2 in the OVC and has won three of their last four. Jacksonville State is 13-16 with a 6-3 record in conference play.

LAST GAME: SEMO fell to Arkansas State, 8-3, Wednesday night at Capaha Field. One day earlier they defeated rival Southern Illinois, 11-4. The Redhawks scored 11 unanswered runs after falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first inning. Ivan Nails pitched eight shutout innings in relief to earn his first victory of the season. Nick Harris hit a three-run home run to right-center in the bottom of the fourth to put Southeast ahead for good.

MAJOR UPSET: On April 1, Southeast pulled off one of the biggest wins in school history. The Redhawks beat No. 6 Vanderbilt, 12-8, in Nashville. SEMO pounded Commodores pitching for 15 hits with the 4-run eighth inning proving to be the difference. Jim Klocke led the offensive attack with four singles and two RBIs. Dustin Renfrow earned the victory after allowing only one run over three innings and Jake Kemper earned his third save in as many appearances, going the final two and two-thirds innings, giving up only one earned run with two strikeouts.

RENFROW HONORED: Senior right-hander Dustin Renfrow was voted Ohio Valley Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week Monday. He shared the honor with Stephen Huff of Austin Peay. Renfrow earned victories over No. 6 Vanderbilt and Murray State last week. He allowed only one earned run at Vandy and pitched a complete game, yielding only two earned runs in game two of Saturday's doubleheader against the rival Thoroughbreds.

HOME RUN BIRRAGE: Redhawks hitters have blasted 35 home runs this year, including a season-high six in the blowout victory over Tennessee Tech to open OVC play on March 21. Tyrell Cummings leads the OVC with nine long balls, including three in Sunday's 9-8 victory over Murray State.

HITTING STREAK SNAPPED: First basemen Matt Wagner saw his 15-game hitting streak come to and end Tuesday against Southern Illinois. During the streak, he batted .367 (22-60) with four home runs, four doubles and 19 RBIs. It marks the longest streak of any Redhawks batter this season.

HOGAN REACHES ANOTHER MILESTONE: Head Coach Mark Hogan notched his 400th victory as the Southeast head coach on Sunday against Murray State. His Southeast record stands at 401-333-1 with the current campaign being his 14th with the program. Last season, he became the all-time wins leader, surpassing legendary head coach Joe Uhls with his 374th career victory on April 1, 2007.