Redhawks make home debut today vs. Lyon

Winning a series from a top-20 Division I baseball team for the first time in school history was exciting for Southeast Missouri State.

"It was really special for our program," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said of the season-opening, weekend series that saw the Redhawks take two of three at then-16th-ranked Alabama. "I couldn't have been happier and more proud for our players and coaches."

But as the Redhawks prepare to open their home schedule today with a 1 p.m. contest against NAIA Lyon College, Hogan knows they can't rest on their laurels.

"We've got a lot of stiff tests coming up," said Hogan, whose squad previously had won games from nationally ranked programs but never a series.

After returning from Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Redhawks will have the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of home for an extended period.

Southeast is scheduled to play 14 of its next 15 games at Capaha Field, including this weekend's four-game set against Purdue, which finished second last season in the Big Ten Conference regular season and tournament.

"I think it's really exciting for our fans to have so many home games," said Hogan, whose team is slated to play 33 of its 55 regular-season contests in Cape Girardeau. "We always get such great fan support. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week and we'll be able to get all five games in."

After being so impressive at Alabama -- Southeast dropped Friday's opener 5-1 before winning 8-3 Saturday and 8-4 Sunday -- it would be natural to expect the Redhawks to have an easy time today.

But Hogan warned against taking the NAIA program from Batesville, Ark., lightly.

For one thing, the Scots have already played 13 games compared to three for Southeast.

And the Scots will come to town on a roll with a 12-1 record and an 11-game winning streak.

"I'm sure they'll have a good ballclub," Hogan said. "We certainly can't look past them."

The Scots have a .424 batting average and score nearly 12 runs per game. Lyon already has banged out 17 home runs.

Southeast had a strong offensive weekend of its own, which is no surprise since the Redhawks returned most of their position players from last year's team that led the Ohio Valley Conference in homers and ranked second in runs scored.

The Redhawks, after being limited to five hits and a run in the season opener, exploded for 25 hits and 16 runs over the final two games of the series.

Leading the hit parade against the Crimson Tide was sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses from Advance High School. Moses went 7-for-13 in the series.

Senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings and senior second baseman Tony Spencer both had six hits, with Cummings getting Southeast's lone homer.

Junior catcher Jim Klocke added five hits and a team-high six RBIs.

"We hit the ball well against a very good pitching staff," Hogan said.

Southeast also pitched well, which was encouraging for Hogan because the Redhawks struggled on the mound last season.

Hogan said junior left-hander Josh Syberg is today's probable starter. Syberg worked two solid innings Friday, giving up one run.

Several other pitchers are likely to follow Syberg to the mound.

"We've got some guys we need to get some work before Purdue comes in," Hogan said.