Redhawks open fall intrasquad series

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team will open its annual Red and Black intrasquad series at 3 p.m. today at Capaha Field. It is open to the public.

The best-of-seven series will continue every Thursday and Friday during the month of October. Thursday games will start at 3 p.m. with Friday matchups starting at 5 p.m.

In addition to games today and Friday, other contest dates are Oct. 18, Oct. 19, Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. The date for Game 7 has not yet been announced.

Southeast interim coach Steve Bieser said fall practices have been going well and he's looking forward to seeing the Redhawks in game conditions.

"We've gotten a lot accomplished even though we missed a couple of the early dates because of rain," Bieser said. "We're putting in a lot of new things and our guys have been very receptive. They've picked up things pretty quick.

"The big thing is getting them in a game setting, see how they react. I'm excited to see how they perform."

Southeast did not have a big group of seniors last year but they represented most of the squad's top players, led by All-American third baseman Trenton Moses and shortstop Kenton Parmley.

The Redhawks also lost their top pitcher as Shae Simmons was drafted and signed a professional contract following his junior season, along with Moses.

Southeast returns a large group of players and has added some key newcomers.

"It's not that we're real new. Most of the guys who are going to be playing have been here at least a year," Bieser said. "We've got some new guys who are going to be key components for us, guys moving around to different positions."

That includes Jason Blum moving from the outfield to second base.

Among Southeast's newcomers is left-handed pitcher Skylar Cobb, a Scott City High School graduate who played the past two seasons at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Also battling for playing time this year will be outfielder Bobby Clark, a Jackson High School graduate who redshirted as a freshman last year.