3 newcomers who made SEMO an OVC contender

After an embarrassing end to the 2023 season in which the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks went the final month without a win, head coach Andy Sawyers reloaded the roster with a bevy of junior college transfers and one hot-shot freshman.

It resulted in a 31-24 season including a 18-9 conference record that had the Redhawks within a single game of the regular season title. SEMO now enters the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will begin a potential run to the title on Thursday, May 23, in Marion, Ill.

Everyone knows about the contributions of seniors Josh Cameron, Ty Stauss, Ben Palmer, Kyle Miller, Haden Dow, and more, but the Redhawks are not in the position they are currently in without these five newcomers.

__Michael Mugan__

The junior centerfielder from Monterrey Peninsula College played in all but one game for the Redhawks and spent the entirety of it as one of the best hitters in the OVC. Mugan led the Redhawks with 73 hits and was second on the team with a .322 batting average and third in RBIs with 47. 

“I knew when I was coming here that the expectation is we're gonna compete for regionals," Mugan said earlier this season. That's the expectation and anything below that is a disappointment."

Southeast Missouri State first baseman Bryce Cannon squares up at a pitch against UT Martin on Thursday, May 16, at Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

__Bryce Cannon__

The junior first baseman from Santa Rosa Junior College has a name that suggests a career as a quarterback in football would be more appropriate. Instead, it's his glove that was flawless season. The Redhawks lead the OVC in defense, with Cannon finishing the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

He has also had a major impact on the plate. His 13 home runs put him second among the Redhawks.

“I’ve developed a mindset to where pressure is my friend,” Cannon said.

Southeast Missouri State second baseman Brooks Kettering celebrates hitting a home run with head coach Andy Sawyers in a game against UT Martin on Friday, May 17, at Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

__Brooks Kettering__

We all saw the potential in SEMO's lone freshman after a four-hit performance in the Redhawks' win over St. Thomas on February 25, but Sawyers said more was in store.

"He's going to have a lot of multi-hit games this year," Sawyers said on February 25. "He hasn't even got going yet. Wait until he gets going. He's super talented."

Kettering finished the season with 17 multi-hit games en route to a .305 batting average and 2nd Team All-OVC honors. He has also hit four of his six home runs in the last 15 games.

“I felt like I fit in and it just felt nice to feel that coming into my first year of college baseball,” Kettering said.

__Honorable mentions__

Caleb Corbin, a junior from Iowa Central Community College, batted .311 in 39 games playing primarily at third base. Catcher Shea McGahan, a St. Louis native from Johnson County Community College, batted .282 with six home runs including a two-homer game that led to a 13-11 win over Morehead State on April 26. Keoni Coloma, a California native from the College of San Mateo, batted .294 in 33 games and 23 starts.