Redhawks push back SIU game

Southeast Missouri State's baseball team will have to wait one day longer than anticipated to try and knock off a major regional rival.

The Redhawks' game with Southern Illinois, scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Capaha Field, has been pushed back to 3 p.m. Thursday because of expected bad weather today and a better forecast for Thursday.

Southeast (4-7) and SIU (7-5) annually play each other twice, with this year's second meeting scheduled for April 27 in Carbondale.

"It's always a great series between the teams," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We've had some really good games with them."

SIU swept the series last year, winning 6-5 in Carbondale and 9-6 in Cape Girardeau.

The Salukis are off to a solid start this season, with a victory at 16th-ranked Mississippi as they split a two-game series.

SIU features former Central High School pitcher Jason Chavez, a senior right-hander who had a strong season for the Salukis last year after transferring from junior college. He is a weekend starter and is not expected to pitch today.

Southeast could use several hurlers as it plays the sixth leg of a seven-game homestand that concludes Sunday at 3 p.m. against Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.). The Redhawks broke a three-game losing streak Monday, beating South Dakota State 7-2.

"Our arms should be fresh," Hogan said. "It should be a good ballgame, it always is. Both teams will really go after it."

The Redhawks recently received some good news when it was learned that left-handed reliever Josh Parham, a Jackson High School graduate, will be fine after taking a shot off his knee.

And another key hurler, right-hander Bill Clayton, continues to round into form after offseason shoulder surgery. He could soon be ready for his first action.