Redhawks attempt to build on sweep

After finally winning an Ohio Valley Conference series -- with a sweep, no less -- Southeast Missouri State will try to continue moving up the OVC standings this weekend.

The Redhawks (16-23, 7-8) visit Richmond, Ky., for a three-game set with Eastern Kentucky (16-21, 7-7). There will be a noon doubleheader today and a noon contest Sunday.

"It's another big series, but they're all big," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

This set could prove particularly crucial in the long run because of where the two teams are in the OVC standings.

Southeast is in sixth place, one-half game behind fifth-place EKU and one game in front of Samford and Eastern Illinois, who are tied for seventh. The top six finishers in the 10-team league qualify for the conference tournament.

"This will be an interesting weekend, with us 7-8 and them 7-7," said Hogan, whose squad is only two games removed from third place, thanks to last weekend's three-game sweep of visiting Eastern Illinois.

The Redhawks' challenge will be to slow down a strong EKU offense that features a .317 team batting average that ranks first in the OVC and 21st nationally.

Seven Colonels who have started at least 20 games are hitting better than .300, led by junior outfielder Brett Bolger, whose .414 average is tops in the OVC.

Sophomore Tony Wells is batting .374, while senior Derrick Bussell leads the conference with 22 stolen bases. The Colonels lead the league with 78 stolen bases, and they are averaging 7.2 runs per game.

"They have a tremendous offensive team, and it will be a challenge for our pitching staff," Hogan said. "Something will have to give."

During Southeast's sweep of Eastern Illinois, the Redhawks received three strong starting pitching performances, including complete games from freshman right-hander Joey Evans and junior right-hander Jamie McAlister.

Hogan will go with that same rotation this weekend. Evans (6-4, 3.00 earned-run average) will start today's nine-inning opener, with McAlister (2-4, 4.22) working the seven-inning nightcap. Junior left-hander Derek Herbig (3-2, 4.14) will start Sunday's nine-inning contest.

"That rotation worked for us last weekend, and we're going to stick with it," said Hogan, whose team has a 4.90 ERA. "If they pitch like they did against Eastern Illinois, I think we'll be in pretty good shape."

EKU, which has won six straight games, has a 5.56 ERA. Probable starters for the Colonels this weekend are sophomore right-hander McKenzie Willoughby (5-2, 3.29), freshman left-hander Shane Zegarac (2-3, 4.70) and junior right-hander Nick Barte (1-2, 4.50).

Offense has been a problem for Southeast much of the season, as the Redhawks' .267 batting average is their lowest since Hogan took over the program in 1995. Southeast's average of 4.5 runs per game is also its lowest during Hogan's tenure.

But the Redhawks' bats have shown signs of life during conference play, as Southeast's average is .284 in OVC games only.

"We've faced some very good pitching staffs this year, but I know we can hit a lot better than we have been," Hogan said. "We got more key hits against Eastern Illinois than we had been getting, so that was a positive sign."

Four regulars are hitting at least .300 for Southeast, led by senior center fielder Frankie Montiel (.345). He is followed by senior shortstop Ernie Bracamonte (.336), senior third baseman Eric Horstman (.316) and senior designated hitter Freddy Lopez (.300).

"We had some big hits against Eastern Illinois, and we need to continue that," Horstman said. "If our pitching does what it did [against Eastern Illinois], and if we can come up with some timely hits, I think we can do well this weekend."

In conference play, Bracamonte leads the Redhawks at .439, followed by Lopez (.391), freshman first baseman James Clayton (.346), Horstman (.322) and junior catcher Levi Olson (.300).

"I'm to the point where I've played enough games now to feel really comfortable," said Clayton, who has solidified his status in Southeast's lineup with recent strong play both offensively and defensively. "Coming in here as a freshman, I didn't know what to expect, but I'm surprised to be playing this much."

The Redhawks lead the OVC in fielding with a .966 percentage, having committed by far a league-low 48 errors. The Colonels rank eighth defensively at .945, as they have committed 78 errors.

"It's an important series for both clubs," Hogan said. "We showed what we could do against Eastern Illinois, with defense, timely hitting and pitching. We need to keep playing that way.

"It's going to be a tough series. If we could win two out of three, that would be super."