Redhawks' fourth-place finish is better than predicted

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team did not end the regular season quite like it wanted to as the Redhawks lost eight of their last 12 games, although they did win three of their final five contests.

But considering the Redhawks started what was supposed to be a rebuilding campaign, I've got to term the year an unqualified success.

First of all, Southeast was picked seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference's preseason poll, meaning the league's coaches and sports information directors expected the Redhawks to miss the six-team OVC tournament.

That low preseason ranking was understandable since many of Southeast's top players from 2009 had completed their eligibility.

Then to make matters worse, several of the Redhawks' key performers suffered season-ending injuries early this year.

At that point those folks who predicted Southeast would finish seventh in the nine-team OVC might have thought even that was a bit generous.

Evidently somebody forgot to tell the Redhawks they were supposed to be in for a rough season.

Armed with 19 newcomers and strong returning talent, the Redhawks went 30-23 and finished fourth in the OVC after contending for the title up to the last series.

Southeast recorded the program's first 30-win season since 2007 and eighth in school history, all under coach Mark Hogan.

The Redhawks also are headed to the OVC tournament for a league-record 16th straight time -- every season Hogan has coached his alma mater. That is an impressive accomplishment.

Although the season already has been a good one, this week the Redhawks will try to make it even better as they shoot for the program's third OVC tournament title and NCAA tournament berth.

Fourth-seeded Southeast opens the double-elimination event in Jackson, Tenn., at 3 p.m. Wednesday against fifth-seeded Eastern Illinois, which just took two of three from the visiting Redhawks.

After Eastern Illinois swept Friday's doubleheader 7-5 and 8-5, Southeast ended the season with Saturday's 10-0 romp.

The Redhawks last captured the OVC tournament and the automatic NCAA berth in 2002. They certainly have the offense to get the job done this year, but it remains to be seen whether they'll have the pitching.

We'll find out during what should be an exciting tournament.

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After a nine-year run at historic Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky., the OVC baseball tournament shifts to Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn., for at least the next three years.

Pringles Park -- home of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, the Class AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners -- opened in 1998. It has a seating capacity of 6,000, luxury suites, a video board and merchandise shop, so it sounds like a great facility.

Southeast fans will have to travel a bit longer to cheer on the Redhawks because Jackson, Tenn., is approximately 155 miles from Cape Girardeau, with an estimated driving time of 2 1/2 hours. Paducah is 80 miles from Cape Girardeau, with a driving time of about 90 minutes.

But considering the loyal following the Redhawks have, I don't think the extra hour on the road will deter Southeast supporters.

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I had quite a thrill last week covering Scott City pitcher Skylar Cobb's perfect game in a 4-0 win over Kelly during the first round of the Class 2 District 3 baseball tournament in Perryville, Mo.

Cobb, a senior left-hander who has signed to play for Three Rivers Community College next year, was dominant. He struck out 17 of the 21 batters he faced and no balls were hit hard.

I know media are supposed to remain impartial when covering events, but I'll admit I was rooting for Cobb -- who by all accounts is a terrific young man -- to finish off the feat as the contest went along. I was really happy when he did.

Scott City went on to win the district title, getting another gem from Cobb as he again struck out 17 during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Charleston.

The Rams join fellow area baseball teams Jackson (Class 4), Notre Dame (Class 3), Chaffee (Class 1) and Oak Ridge (Class 1) in capturing district crowns and advancing to sectional matchups today and Tuesday.

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Speaking of Jackson's district championship, I didn't need to be reminded that I'm getting older and have worked at the Southeast Missourian a long time, but covering the Indians' 1-0 win over North County on Friday in Poplar Bluff confirmed that reality.

Jackson first-year coach Tatum Kitchen claimed his initial district crown, following in the footsteps of his father.

Former Central baseball coach Terry Kitchen won numerous district titles and led the Tigers to four final four appearances from 1978 through 1991.

I covered quite a few of Terry Kitchen's stellar squads after I started at the Missourian in 1984, and now I've covered his son's first district championship.

I don't know if Tatum Kitchen will have the success his dad did, but Tatum is certainly a promising young coach and part of a classy family.

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Former Capahas pitcher and Caruthersville native Matt Palmer is currently on the 15-day disabled list with the Los Angeles Angels due to neck stiffness.

Palmer, 31, is 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in nine games, including one start. He was 11-2 with a 3.93 ERA as a rookie last season.

Palmer, who pitched for the Capahas in 1998 and 1999, played collegiately at Three Rivers Community College and Missouri State.

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Sikeston's Blake DeWitt was batting .276 through Saturday as he has been the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting second baseman for most of the season.

The 24-year-old DeWitt, a former first-round draft choice, had two triples during last Monday's win over Houston that marked the Dodgers' eighth straight victory. The Dodgers later extended their winning streak to nine before losing. They had won 12 of their last 13 through Saturday.

DeWitt became the first Dodger with two triples in a game since Rafael Furcal on June 13, 2007.

Also, Cape Girardeau native A.J. Ellis is hitting .250 in 16 at-bats for the Dodgers after the backup catcher began the season at Class AAA Albuquerque.

Ellis, 29, was born in Cape Girardeau but his family moved when he was about 12 and he attended high school in Lexington, Ky.

I don't believe Ellis ever had any extended family in this area, since his father moved here for job purposes before A.J. was born and later left for the same reason.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.