Redhawks look to shake losing ways vs. JSU

With 24 scheduled Ohio Valley Conference games remaining, Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan knows it is way too early to panic.

But Hogan also realizes it is never too early to right the ship -- and this weekend would be a perfect time.

Defending OVC tournament champion Jacksonville State (9-13, 2-1) visits Capaha Field for a three-game series with the Redhawks (8-14, 1-2). There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader today, and a 1 p.m. single contest Sunday.

The Redhawks are reeling after losing seven of their past nine games, and they got OVC play off on shaky footing by dropping two of three at Murray State last weekend. Southeast held substantial late leads in both setbacks to the Thoroughbreds, but saw them slip away.

"It's a tough time for us right now. We're just not playing as well as we need to play," Hogan said. "It's not panic time, but we need to get it going."

While it is still so early in the OVC schedule, the series between the Redhawks and Gamecocks figures to be interesting because both teams are regarded as two of the league's top contenders.

JSU, which beat the Redhawks in last year's OVC Tournament championship game to advance to the NCAA Tournament, was picked third in the conference's preseason poll based on voting by the league's coaches. Southeast was the preseason No. 2 pick.

"They've got a very good program," Hogan said. "It's early, but it's an important series for both sides."

The Gamecocks, who won two of three at Samford last weekend to begin OVC play, have excelled on the mound but struggled at the plate so far this season.

JSU leads the OVC in earned-run average (4.25), but ranks ninth among 10 teams in batting average (.240).

Probable starters for today are junior right-hander Josh Forrest (1-0, 2.86 ERA) and sophomore right-hander Jon Clements (1-2, 3.60). Junior right-hander Clark Jinks (2-0, 3.15) has been another solid JSU starter.

"The scouting report we've gotten is they're good from top to bottom on their pitching staff," Hogan said. "They keep bringing solid arms at you."

Offensively, JSU is led by senior outfielder Winston Pearson (.358) and sophomore shortstop Jake Ball (.330). Pearson also ranks first in home runs with four and runs batted in with 17.

Southeast is second in the league in ERA (4.87), but the Redhawks have also struggled quite a bit offensively as they rank fifth among 10 squads in batting average (.263).

Hogan said junior left-hander Derek Herbig (1-1, 3.48) will start today's nine-inning opener, with freshman right-hander Joey Evans (1-3, 3.72) making his first OVC start -- and second start of his Southeast career -- in the seven-inning nightcap.

Senior right-hander Ryan Forsyth (2-2, 6.66) will likely go in Sunday's nine-inning series finale.

The Redhawks have three hitters above .300 in senior center fielder Frankie Montiel (.361), Horstman (.326) and senior second baseman Bo Jenkins (.304). Montiel leads in doubles with nine and RBIs with 22, while junior first baseman Jordan Payne is first in homers with four.

Noteworthy

* Hogan said the news is relatively good regarding All-American closer Brad Smith, who was recently shut down after hearing a pop in his elbow.

After being examined, it is believed that Smith simply has tendinitis. Although he has been ruled out for this weekend, Hogan said Smith should return to action soon, barring any further complications.