Redhawks finally start a series on right foot

~ Maupin went the distance in an 11-2 victory.

About as complete a performance as Southeast Missouri State has had all year allowed the Redhawks to win the first game of an Ohio Valley Conference series for just the second time this season.

Rain denied the Redhawks a shot at only their second doubleheader sweep, but they'll try to take care of that today.

Southeast rolled past visiting Eastern Kentucky 11-2 Saturday afternoon -- breaking a seven-game losing streak to the Colonels -- but the finale of a scheduled twin bill was rained out.

The squads will play a pair of seven-inning contests beginning at noon today at Capaha Field.

"It would have been nice to see how much momentum that excellent performance in the first game gave us in the second game," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "Hopefully it will carry over to tomorrow."

There is no doubt the Redhawks desperately needed the type of game they received Saturday as they attempt to claw their way into the OVC tournament.

Southeast (17-26, 8-11) began the day tied for seventh in the 10-team league, two games out of sixth place. Only the top six finishers qualify for the OVC tournament.

The Redhawks are now in seventh place all by themselves, and they moved to within one-half game of sixth-place Tennessee Tech after the Eagles were swept in a doubleheader at Jacksonville State.

"Every game is important at this time of the year," said Hogan, whose squad has eight OVC contests remaining.

Southeast's only other win in the opener of an OVC series came more than a month ago, when the Redhawks also recorded their only conference series sweep, over visiting Murray State the first weekend in April.

"It's good to finally get the win in the first game," junior second baseman Omar Padilla said.

The Redhawks used an all-around performance to pull it off. They banged out 11 hits -- including three home runs -- held the OVC's top offensive team to just four hits and committed no errors.

"We played really good. When we do that, we can beat a lot of teams," Hogan said.

Southeast received stellar pitching from Anthony Maupin, who has been the Redhawks' most consistent starter.

Maupin, who normally works the seven-inning second game of OVC doubleheaders, was moved up to Saturday's nine-inning opener.

Maupin, a senior right-hander, went the distance for his team-high sixth complete game of the season, with the other five complete games coming in seven-inning contests. He struck out five and walked one.

"I just like being out there starting, whether it's the first game or the second game," said Maupin, who also leads the Redhawks in wins as he improved to 6-4. "We needed this, and hopefully we can take them out from here, either winning two out of three or getting the sweep."

Said Hogan: "The job Anthony did was really important for our club, obviously. It might have been the best pitched game we've had all year. To only give up four hits to a team like Eastern Kentucky is unreal."

Eastern Kentucky (21-21, 10-8), which is in fourth place in the OVC, entered play leading the league with a .307 batting average, including .335 in conference games. The Colonels are also first in the OVC in home runs with 48.

Against Maupin, the Colonels managed just four singles.

"He pitched a great game," Padilla said.

In a home-run derby, Southeast would have been considered the underdog to the Colonels, since the Redhawks came in with just 19 homers on the season.

But senior designated hitter Andy Johnson got the Redhawks started with one out in the second inning as he belted his team-high sixth homer, a solo shot over the center field wall.

A four-run third inning -- highlighted by senior catcher Levi Olson's two-run double -- made it 5-0.

After Eastern Kentucky scored its only two runs in the fourth inning, the Redhawks broke things open with four in the bottom of the frame, the big blow being senior shortstop Jordan Payne's two-run homer.

Southeast got another run in the fifth inning and Padilla, who went 4-for-5, rounded out the scoring with a solo homer in the eighth inning. Padilla also had his team-high 15th double, scored three runs and drove in two.

Payne also doubled, while junior third baseman Phillip Riley added two hits. Johnson and senior left fielder Chris Gibson matched Payne with two RBIs, and Olson drove in three runs.

While Southeast played errorless ball, Eastern Kentucky added to its OVC-leading error total with five miscues, giving the Colonels 99 errors on the season.

"Eastern Kentucky has a really good team and I know they'll come back strong tomorrow," Hogan said. "Hopefully we can continue to play well."