Redhawks host NIU for series

Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan says forget the 4-9 record Northern Illinois will bring to town.

Hogan expects a strong team to oppose the Redhawks in a four-game weekend series that begins with today's 2 p.m. contest at Capaha Field.

There will be a noon doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m. matchup Sunday.

"They're in a good league [Mid-American Conference] and I think they'll be a very solid ballclub," said Hogan, whose squad is 7-5. "They've played a really ambitious schedule."

The Huskies own notable wins over Missouri, which began the season nationally ranked, and Mississippi State.

NIU also took two of three at Southern Illinois-Carbondale.

The Huskies have posted consecutive 16-win seasons in the MAC, the most in program history. Last year they came within one victory of claiming the MAC West Division title.

NIU went 28-26 last year and 34-24 in 2007 under seventh-year coach Ed Mathey, the program's all-time wins leader.

NIU features two players batting above .400 in Troy White (.436) and Jordin Hood (.404).

On the mound, starters Chuck Lukanen (1-2, 1.69 ERA) and Andy Deain (2-0, 2.60) have been especially impressive.

"It should be another good series," Hogan said.

Runners honored

Southeast's 2008 cross country teams have been awarded All-Academic honors.

The men's squad placed 19th in the nation with a cumulative 3.388 grade-point average and was one of two OVC teams honored.

The women's team recorded a cumulative 3.426 GPA and was one of three OVC squads honored.

Southeast's men had the top OVC GPA, while the women were second.

"It is a huge honor for both our programs to find their names next to so many incredible programs" coach Miles Krieger said in a release.