Redhawks club five HRs in win

~ Southeast claimed its season-opening series against Pine Bluff with a 15-3 rout.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- Southeast Missouri State's first baseball game of 2008 did not go well.

But the rest of the Redhawks' season-opening series at Arkansas-Pine Bluff couldn't have been much better.

After dropping Friday's contest and losing shortstop Nick Harris to an injury, the Redhawks bounced back with two dominant wins, capped by Sunday's 15-3 romp that gave them the series victory.

Southeast rolled 12-3 on Saturday, after its 4-2 defeat on Friday night.

"I was proud of the way the club responded, especially after Nick went down," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We really bounced back well."

The Redhawks banged five home runs Sunday, including the first career homer from fifth-year senior Sean Zollner, who has received limited playing time in his Southeast career.

"It was thrilling for me, and I'm sure even more so for Sean," Hogan said. "All the hard work he's put in. ... He's been a great teammate, and he's paid the price."

Sophomore Andrew Wiese, who saw limited action last year, also got his first collegiate homer.

The same goes for two junior college transfers, Tyrell Cummings and Kieran Bradford.

Rounding out the home-run parade for the Redhawks was junior Matt Wagner, a preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference pick.

Southeast had 13 hits, after getting 12 hits the day before. The Redhawks managed just three hits in the series opener.

"We hit the ball well the last two games," Hogan said. "We've seen it in [batting] practice, but it doesn't count until you do it on the field."

Wagner, Wiese and juco transfer Justin Wheeler each had two hits for the Redhawks. Wheeler had Southeast's other homer in the series.

Juco transfer Todd Strahlendorf continued the Redhawks' impressive pitching.

Strahlendorf, in his first Southeast start and appearance, notched the victory by allowing five hits and one run in four innings. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

"He did a real nice job, and we had good pitching all weekend," Hogan said. "That was the most impressive part."

Five hurlers followed Strahlendorf to the mound, including Scott City product Andy Stephens, a juco transfer.

Stephens, a sophomore left-hander making his first Southeast appearance, worked a perfect seventh inning.

Also solid was juco transfer Ryan Poole, who fanned two in a scoreless eighth inning.

Another local product, freshman infielder Trenton Moses from Advance, got his first collegiate hit. Moses, who did not start, singled in the ninth inning.

"There were a lot of firsts for a lot of guys this weekend," Hogan said.

Southeast will remain on the road in preparation for Tuesday's 3:05 p.m. contest at the University of Arkansas.

Senior Dustin Renfrow, the Redhawks' ace, will take the mound against the Razorbacks of the Southeastern Conference.

"That's a big matchup," Hogan said. "We'll go see how we do against a traditionally strong team from one of the best conferences in the nation."

Harris update

Southeast received positive news on Harris, who suffered a knee injury in the ninth inning of Friday's game.

Harris was examined by the Southeast medical staff Saturday in Cape Girardeau. It was determined that the knee suffered no major structural damage and will not require surgery.

Harris, a freshman All-American third baseman last year, still will miss anywhere from four to six weeks as he rehabilitates the knee, but he should be able to return for most if not all of the OVC season.

"It's a real big relief to me and the staff," Hogan said. "When you see it, you think, 'Oh my gosh' and automatically expect the worst.

"Our orthopedic people think he can recover without surgery at this point in time. He's a super player and a super young man, and he means so much to our club."