Redhawks avenge loss to Wright State, win 5-1

Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan had seen enough of one-run games for a while.

Compared to recent outings, the Redhawks had a relative "breather" Saturday afternoon as they beat Wright State 5-1 at Capaha Field.

That came after Friday's 6-5 loss to the defending Horizon League champions from Dayton, Ohio, in the opener of a three-game series. The rubber game is set for noon today.

"It felt like it was 2-1," said Hogan, whose team had played three straight one-run contests, including Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Missouri State and Tuesday's 8-7, 13-inning win over the Bears. "But it was good to get some separation."

Southeast improved to 11-8 while the Raiders fell to 9-7 as they had a five-game winning streak snapped.

Southeast Missouri State starting pitcher Jon Dicus delivers a pitch to a Wright State batter during the first inning Saturday at Capaha Field. Dicus picked up his second win of the season as the Redhawks avenged a loss from a day earlier with a 5-1 victory.FRED LYNCH flynch@semissourian.com

"They have a very good team, and it's been a great series so far," Hogan said. "Hopefully we can get the last one."

Solid pitching and hitting, along with timely defense, allowed the Redhawks to break a two-game losing streak.

The Redhawks committed two errors but turned three double plays as WSU had 11 hits -- all singles -- while stranding 13 runners.

Southeast also left 13 on base and had 11 hits, but the Redhawks benefited from a home run and four doubles.

"It was a tough loss yesterday, and it was good to bounce back," senior Casey Jones said.

Southeast Missouri State's Kenton Parmley is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against Wright State during the second inning Saturday at Capaha Field.

Jones paced Southeast's offense with a 5-for-5 performance that included two doubles and two RBIs. He raised his batting average from .273 to .324.

"It feels good," said Jones, who led Southeast last year with a .398 mark. "I've been hitting the ball hard but kind of been struggling. Today they started falling."

Junior Kenton Parmley gave Southeast a 2-0 lead with a two-run, two-out homer to left field in the second inning. It was Parmley's second home run of the season and broke a 2-for-15 slump.

"It's about time," Parmley said. "The jet stream was going out to left, and I kind of knew it was out but I wasn't sure.

"They're a real good team. ... it was a good team win for us."

Parmley had two hits, as did senior Tim Rupp. Rupp singled immediately ahead of Parmley's home run.

Senior John Dicus worked the first 5 1/3 innings and improved to 2-0. He scattered eight hits and gave up a run while striking out three and walking two.

Dicus, who notched his first victory since the season-opening series at Louisiana-Lafayette, lowered his ERA to 2.10.

"It feels great, finally getting another win," Dicus said. "It was good to get going again. We played really well as a team and we beat a good team."

Junior college transfer left-hander Ryan Prickett, who has been a strong addition to Southeast's bullpen, pitched 2 1/3 solid innings, allowing three hits.

"We thought we had something special when we signed him," Hogan said. "He was a starter in junior college but he's made the transition [to relief]."

Prickett relieved Dicus in the sixth inning with runners on first and second and one out. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third.

Southeast then came up with its biggest double play. Dan Marsh ripped a hard ground ball to Jones at first base. He stepped on the bag and fired to home in time to get Zach Tanner to end the inning.

"We were kind of lucky. It was hit hard right at Jones. ... That was huge," Hogan said.

Prickett worked out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the seventh inning, then gave way to sophomore Shae Simmons after a two-out single in the eighth.

Simmons, from Scott City, got the final out of the eighth with one pitch, then worked around two ninth-inning walks for his third save of the season. He struck out one.

"Dicus did a great job, and Prickett and Simmons were real good," Hogan said.

After the Raiders scored their only run in the third inning, Jones' RBI single in the fifth made it 3-1.

Senior Michael Adamson's sixth-inning sacrifice fly put Southeast up 4-1 and Jones' eighth-inning RBI double completed the day's scoring.

Marsh, Sam Picchiotti and Corey Davis all had two hits for the Raiders.