Redhawks, Panthers approach big OVC series

The No. 1 prize in Ohio Valley Conference baseball is winning the postseason tournament to earn an automatic NCAA regional berth.

Southeast Missouri State has done that twice in the program's Division I history, in 1998 and 2002 under coach Mark Hogan.

Not far behind is capturing the OVC regular-season title, which the Redhawks have pulled off once, also in 2002.

The 2009 OVC regular-season champion will go a long way toward being determined this weekend when Eastern Illinois visits Capaha Field for a three-game series.

There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday -- River Eagle Distributing will provide free food and beverages -- followed by a 1 p.m. contest Sunday.

Eastern Illinois (10-3 in OVC play) and Southeast (11-4) are in a virtual first-place tie, with the Panthers leading the Redhawks by percentage points.

After this weekend, Southeast will still have six conference games remaining, so nothing will be finalized.

But whatever team gains the upper hand in the series certainly would put itself in a favorable position to claim the crown.

It should be a fun two days at Capaha Field.

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The Southeast softball team has made quite a turnaround after an 11-game losing streak.

Southeast has reeled off 11 straight wins to clinch a berth in the six-team OVC tournament, after missing the event the past two years.

The third-place Redhawks stand a solid chance of finishing second, which would mean a first-round bye in the OVC tournament.

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Matt Palmer, a Caruthersville native who pitched several summers with the Plaza Tire Capahas, notched his first major league victory Thursday.

Palmer, a 30-year-old rookie with the Los Angeles Angels, pitched into the seventh inning in an 11-5 win over Detroit.

Palmer, selected by San Francisco in the 31st round of the 2002 draft out of what was then Southwest Missouri State, made his fourth big league start Thursday. The first three came last season with the Giants.

Because of injuries to several of the Angels' starters, Palmer was called up from Class AAA Salt Lake because he was the only pitcher Los Angeles had at that level with major league experience.

Palmer is scheduled to get another start for the Angels this week.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.