Congrats to Redhawks baseball team for title

Congratulations, Redhawks. You did it.

After finishing the regular season at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference for the past two years only to come bit short in the OVC Tournament, this year's talented and gritty baseball team from Southeast Missouri State won the OVC tournament title on Sunday and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

It took some dramatics to rally from a deficit, but the Redhawks toppled No. 2 seed Jacksonville State 14-8 to extend their season.

"Just a surreal feeling. I can't explain how we feel," Steve Bieser, Southeast baseball coach, said after the win. "There was a lot of pressure on this club and I think a lot of pressure on our seniors and the guys that have been here for the past three years. I know I felt pressure, and this is probably the most pressure I've felt in the tournament setting yet. Just felt like we had to get it done this time. Seeing our seniors really rally around and come through on two tough days with back to back doubleheaders, just super excited for those guys."

Southeast has continued a tradition of fielding very talented players, and this group is no different. Lefty pitcher Joey Lucchesi has established himself as one of the better pitchers in the country. Not only did he pitch a complete-game shutout on Friday, he entered in the seventh inning of Sunday's game and allowed no runs on one hit for his first save of the season.

These are certainly exciting times for the university's baseball program. Bieser has this ship headed in a good direction; not only has he been able to recruit talented players; he's also mixed in some innovative approaches to practice, particularly using technology to help players with pitch recognition. The team's offensive numbers have improved each of the last three years.

But you never know what might happen in a tournament. This year, it went the Redhawks' way and it was long overdue. There's a palpable buzz surrounding the team now as it prepares to take on Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State is one of the top teams in the country, so these talented and gritty Redhawks will have their hands full.

We tip our caps to the Redhawks. What a great season they've had with a 39-19 record. Here's to a few more big wins still yet to come.