Redhawks carry big sticks in 2009

There appears to be no question about the proficiency of Southeast Missouri State's offense and defense.

The Redhawks were second in the Ohio Valley Conference in runs scored per game last season at 7.1, led the league in home runs with 60 and ranked second in fielding percentage by establishing a new school record of .968.

Southeast was ranked in the top 85 nationally in all three categories -- and most of the regular lineup returns.

"I think we'll play defense and score some runs," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, entering his 15th season.

The Redhawks' question mark, as it so often is with most baseball teams, rests with the pitching staff.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.comSoutheast's Jim Klocke hits a single in the first inning, driving in one run against Arkansas State on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.

That area was a sore spot in 2008 as Southeast's 5.92 ERA was better than only two OVC squads. In conference play, Southeast's ERA ballooned to 7.36.

"We were inconsistent on the mound," Hogan said.

That inconsistency was probably the major reason the Redhawks could do no better than 26-26 overall and a sixth-place 12-13 in the OVC, although they finished strong by reaching the title round of the OVC tournament.

If Southeast's pitching is considerably improved this season -- Hogan believes it will be -- then good things could be in store for the Redhawks.

"I like this team," said Hogan, whose squad opens Friday night with the start of a three-game series at Alabama, ranked 21st nationally. "Pitching is the key every year. So far they've done a good job against our guys [in practice]. Hopefully that will carry over.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri State's Tyrell Cummings is congratulated on his home run by teammate Justin Wheeler who Cummings batted in during fifth inning against Samford Sunday at Capaha Field.

"If we can keep it in the park, I think we'll have a chance to be really good."

Southeast has made 14 straight OVC tournament appearances under Hogan to account for the longest current streak in the conference.

"That's something we're proud of," said Hogan, who at 413-348-1 is the winningest baseball coach in Southeast history and led the Redhawks to NCAA regional berths in 1998 and 2002.

Southeast's 30-man roster features 18 returning players, including the top five hitters and players who accounted for all but six of the home-run total that was 18 more than any other OVC team.

Hogan welcomes back all five of his players who batted better than .300 last year.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri State University first baseman on April 6, 2007.

Junior catcher Jim Klocke, who made one preseason All-American list, led the way with a .357 average to earn first-team all-OVC honors.

Klocke had six homers, seven doubles, 40 RBIs and a team-high .469 on-base percentage.

Senior first baseman Matt Wagner, another first-team all-OVC pick, batted .337 with 11 homers, nine doubles and 57 RBIs.

Senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings also made the all-OVC first team after hitting .329 and leading Southeast with 12 homers, 16 doubles and 58 RBIs.

Other top hitters returning are junior center fielder Nick Harris (.310, 10 homers, 12 doubles, team-high four triples, 41 RBIs, team-high .582 slugging percentage) and senior left fielder Justin Wheeler (.305, seven homers, 11 doubles, 33 RBIs).

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.comSoutheast's Justin Wheeler knocks the ball to the left side, making his way to first base during the bottom of the seventh inning of the first game against Austin Peay on Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Harris also will see time on the mound in a relief role, as will Klocke.

Two more position starters are back in senior second baseman Tony Spencer (.265, team-leading 15 stolen bases in 21 attempts) and sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses (.264, four homers, eight doubles, 24 RBIs).

Moses, an Advance product, made the OVC all-freshman team.

The only newcomers in the lineup -- at least to start the season -- are freshman shortstop Kenton Parmley from nearby Goreville, Ill., and sophomore Louie Haseltine, who received only nine at-bats last year.

Parmley has drawn rave reviews from Hogan, while Haseltine has improved to the point that Hogan said he and Wheeler are in a tight battle for the left-field spot. Whoever doesn't play there will serve as designated hitter.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.comSoutheast's shortstop Nick Harris fields a ground ball during the seventh inning of the first game against Murray State on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

Three other players -- senior Daniel Schuh (.156), junior Andrew Wiese (.163) and sophomore Blake Slattery (.200) from Cape Central -- started at least 10 games last year, primarily in the outfield. Hogan said Schuh, who also did some pitching, will focus primarily on that role this year.

Among the position newcomers, Hogan mentioned freshmen Kody Campbell from Oran and Jesse Tierney as most likely to earn some playing time. Both can handle a variety of positions.

Pitching a question

While Hogan believes the pitching staff can be solid, the Redhawks graduated ace Dustin Renfrow and return just 12 of the squad's 26 wins. Only two returning hurlers made more than three starts last season.

Senior left-hander James Leigh, a conference starter all year, went 5-2 with a 6.11 ERA as he leveled off following a dazzling start.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri State catcher Jim Klocke threw to first base on a sacrifice bunt by Southern Illinois' Tyler Lairson Tuesday at Capaha Field.

Senior Todd Strahlendorf (4-3, 5.94) filled a variety of roles, while junior left-hander Josh Syberg (1-3, 6.97) never found the form he flashed as an OVC all-freshman pick in 2007.

Several other pitchers showed flashes last year, including senior Ryan Poole (0-1, 5.50) and sophomore Brad LaBruyere from Cape Central (2-1, 7.82).

Hogan will count on three junior college transfers to strengthen the mound corps: Kyle Gumieny and left-hander Greg Hendrix -- both stand 6-feet-5 -- along with John Salazar.

Gumieny and Hendrix, in fact, have been so impressive through the fall and preseason that they will start at Alabama this weekend, along with Strahlendorf. Gumieny will get the ball in the opener.

"Kyle has looked really good and Greg has the top arm on the team. He's very gifted," Hogan said. "I feel like we can have five real solid starters with Gumieny, Hendrix, Strahlendorf, Leigh and Syberg, and I think we've got a lot of other guys who can throw.

"We've got a month to sort out the staff until we start conference play [March 21]."

The Redhawks struggled closing out games last year -- they were the only OVC team to not have a save in league play -- and Harris will start the season in that role after never having thrown a college inning.

"He's going to get the opportunity," Hogan said. "The kid's got a good arm."