Former Southeast pitcher Hempen dies at 39

He held the school's saves records from 1987 until last year.

Truman Smith remembers Hal Hempen as not only a top-flight pitcher but also an outstanding individual.

"He was one of the most special kids I've ever been around," said Smith, who was Southeast Missouri State's pitching coach when Hempen played for the Redhawks in 1986 and 1987. "He just brightened up the room."

Smith, who still resides in Cape Girardeau, reflected on Hempen after learning of the death of Southeast's former star reliever.

Hempen passed away at age 39 Friday in a freak accident involving lightning on a golf course in Tennessee. He had been playing golf when severe weather hit the course. Lightning struck a tree, which fell over and hit Hempen, who suffered a broken neck. His funeral was Wednesday in his hometown of Carlyle, Ill.

"It was really tragic news," Smith said. "Hal was just a terrific person, and he was a heck of a pitcher."

Hempen transferred to Southeast from a junior college in Belleville, Ill. In two seasons with the Redhawks, whose head coach then was Palmer Muench, the hard-throwing right-hander compiled 10 saves, including eight in 1987. He held Southeast's single-season and career saves records until Brad Smith broke both last year.

"He was a big old kid who could really throw the ball," Smith said. "I remember he always said to me and Palmer, 'Just put me in the toughest situations.' He was really a competitor, but he was just a laid-back, good old country boy."

Hempen played professionally after leaving Southeast, but he was forced to retire from baseball because of arm problems after reaching the Class A level.

Hempen, who was married but had no children, had recently moved to Tennessee. He had been in private business.