Redhawks fail to run win streak to three

After the way his team played Tuesday, Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan envisioned the Redhawks continuing their winning ways.

But Central Arkansas did to Southeast what the Redhawks had done to the Bears the previous day.

The Bears routed the host Redhawks 12-2 on Wednesday as Southeast was denied a third straight victory, which would have matched its longest winning streak of the season.

Southeast, which captured the opener of the two-game nonconference series 12-4, fell to 22-22. UCA is 25-26-1.

"Give them credit, it was pretty much their day," Hogan said. "They just shut us down, which was surprising after the way we hit yesterday."

The Redhawks pounded out 16 hits in Tuesday's series opener, but were held to eight hits in Wednesday's finale.

Southeast fell behind 4-0 after one-half inning and never got back in the game. It was 8-1 after 2 1/2 innings and the Redhawks were shut out over the final four frames.

"They threw some really good arms out there today," Hogan said.

With an eye on Southeast's final Ohio Valley Conference series of the season — Friday and Saturday at Morehead State — Hogan primarily used pitchers who have not seen much action this year.

Redshirt freshman Corey Harness, making his second collegiate start, previously had thrown just 5 1/3 innings.

Harness was touched for four runs on four hits in the first inning. Following a scoreless second, he departed during UCA's four-run third. Harness was charged with six runs on six hits.

The pitching highlight of the day for the Redhawks was junior Daniel Schuh, who had worked only 5 2/3 innings this season.

Schuh, primarily an outfielder — although he has seen limited action there this year — gave up two unearned runs in the third after relieving Harness.

Schuh then worked three straight scoreless frames of one-hit baseball. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out three in four innings

"He's got a good arm. He was the bright spot," Hogan said.

Another bright spot was sophomore left-hander Andy Stephens from Scott City High School. He gave up a run in 1 2/3 innings but did not allow a hit.

Stephens has worked only 8 2/3 innings this season after transferring from Meramec Community College, but he has given up just six hits and has the squad's lowest ERA at 2.08.

"He's kind of been a matchup guy for us," Hogan said. "He hasn't had a lot of work, but he's done well."

Stephens said he tries to make a good impression every time he takes the mound.

"Each time I get out there, I try to compete and throw strikes," he said. "I hope I can show I can go a little longer, but I like my role and I love it here, to play at home."

Lance Rhodes, among Southeast's top relievers, pitched a scoreless inning. Hogan used six hurlers.

Sophomore shortstop Nick Harris was the lone Southeast player with two hits.

In addition to failing to extend their winning streak, the Redhawks were hit with some potentially bad news off the field.

Junior starting infielder Tony Spencer, who has played second base and shortstop, was not at Capaha Field on Wednesday as Southeast seeks to clarify his academic eligibility.

Southeast's second semester recently concluded, and there is a question centering around one of Spencer's classes from the recent semester.

The NCAA is in the process of determining whether Spencer has met the NCAA's satisfactory progress toward a degree requirement, which stipulates that athletes receive a certain amount of credit hours each semester.

"Right now we're just waiting on some kind of decision," said Hogan, who does not know if Spencer will be on the bus today when Southeast departs for its final regular-season series at Morehead State.