Redhawks pull off road sweep

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team bounced back nicely from a three-game losing streak.

Southeast opened Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday by sweeping a doubleheader from host Tennessee Tech.

The Redhawks romped in the nine-inning opener 14-2 and held on in the seven-inning nightcap 4-3.

The squads close out the three-game series at 1 p.m. today in Cookeville, Tenn.

"What a great start [to conference play]," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I was elated with the way we played."

Southeast improved to 12-8 overall, while the Golden Eagles fell to 10-7.

The Redhawks' recent three-game slide included two defeats at Missouri State in which they were outscored 29-5.

"We kind of had egg on our face with the Missouri State series," Hogan said. "The way we bounced back was really impressive. I'm proud of the guys."

Southeast allowed 46 runs during the losing streak, but the Redhawks' maligned pitching staff was strong Saturday.

"It was great to see our pitchers go out and throw like they're capable of," Hogan said. "They all competed hard and kept us in the games."

Sophomore Louie Haseltine, who has split time at the DH spot this year, had a first game to remember.

Haseltine entered as a pinch-hitter in the top of the sixth inning. He delivered a grand slam on the first pitch he saw that extended Southeast's lead to 7-2 and began the rout.

Haseltine added an RBI double in the eighth inning and capped his monster performance with a two-run homer in the ninth for a seven RBI game.

Haseltine has four home runs in just 32 official at-bats this season.

"He came off the bench and really exploded," Hogan said.

Junior college transfer Kyle Gumieny notched the first win of his young Southeast career with 5 2/3 solid innings in the opener.

Gumieny (1-2) struggled early -- Southeast trailed 2-0 after three innings -- but settled down to allow two runs and nine hits. He struck out four and walked three.

"I thought Kyle really gutted it out. He just hung in there," Hogan said.

Senior Ryan Poole fired 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Poole recorded the final out in the sixth inning with two runners on after he replaced Gumieny.

Junior left-hander Josh Syberg closed out things with a scoreless ninth inning.

"We got great relief pitching from Ryan and Josh," Hogan said.

A two-run homer by senior left fielder Justin Wheeler in the fourth inning pulled Southeast into a 2-2 tie and began a string of 14 unanswered runs by the Redhawks.

Wheeler tied senior first baseman Matt Wagner for the team home run lead with seven, which also was tied for the OVC lead entering the weekend.

A fifth-inning RBI fielder's choice by junior center fielder Nick Harris broke the 2-2 tie.

The Redhawks never trailed in the nightcap, although an early 3-0 lead was erased when Tech rallied with three runs in the fourth inning.

Southeast broke the tie in the sixth inning as sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses from Advance delivered an RBI double with two outs. The blow scored Haseltine, who reached on a fielder's choice.

"Trenton has had a lot of big hits already for us in his career," Hogan said. "He came through with two outs again."

Senior left-hander James Leigh, Southeast's top starter so far, improved to 3-0 by working five-plus innings. He allowed three runs and six hits -- four came in the fourth inning -- with five strikeouts and one walk.

"James threw really well. He gave us a great outing," Hogan said.

Junior catcher Jim Klocke, in his first season performing double duty as a pitcher, continued to shine in the closer role for the Redhawks.

Klocke came on after Leigh walked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning. Klocke retired the next three hitters and also worked a perfect seventh inning for his OVC-leading fourth save of the season.

"He just ate them alive, six up and six down," Hogan said.

Southeast finished the day with 19 hits, including 12 in the opener.

Haseltine, who started the nightcap, went 4-for-6 to lead the Redhawks. Senior second baseman Tony Spencer went 4-for-9 and freshman shortstop Kenton Parmley added three hits.

Tech had 18 hits in the two games.

Hogan said he was not sure who would start on the mound for Southeast today as the Redhawks shoot for a rare series sweep on the road.

"To sweep on the road is almost impossible," Hogan said. "It would be great if we could pull it off."