Redhawks set to host Cougars

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team is about to get an extended look at a future Ohio Valley Conference opponent.

Southeast hosts Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in a four-game series beginning with tonight's 6 p.m. contest.

There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday -- both games will be seven innings -- and 1 p.m. contest Sunday.

"It should be an interesting series," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said.

SIUE was admitted to the OVC last summer, but all its teams except softball won't compete in the conference until the 2011-2012 academic year, meaning the baseball program will start league play in the 2012 season. Softball will begin OVC play in the 2011 season.

"It's a new team getting ready to step into the conference, so it will give us a chance to get a look at them," Hogan said. "And it's probably a good time for us to have a pause in our conference schedule."

The Redhawks, 19-14 overall, are a second-place 9-3 in the nine-team OVC at the midway point of their league schedule.

Southeast enters the weekend having lost four of its last five games, including Tuesday's 4-2, 10-inning home defeat to Southern Illinois-Carbondale. The Redhawks have been held to two runs or fewer in their past four losses.

"We're not hitting like we were earlier in the season," Hogan said. "But I'm not concerned about our offense. I think we'll be fine."

SIUE was a traditionally strong Division II program that has struggled in its first Division I season. The Cougars were 8-21 entering Thursday's game at Butler.

The Cougars are 2-6 against OVC members, with series remaining against Eastern Illinois and Morehead State besides this weekend's set.

Hogan said Southeast will use its normal conference starting pitching rotation for the first three games of the series.

That means senior left-hander James Leigh will go tonight, with senior Todd Strahlendorf and junior Kyle Gumieny getting the ball Saturday.

Sunday's starter has not yet been determined.

Benefit golf tourney

Hogan said a few team spots still are available for Monday's fifth annual Joe Uhls Memorial Golf Tournament and Banquet/Auction.

The event -- named in honor of Southeast's late, legendary baseball coach -- is the primary fundraiser for the Redhawks program.

The four-person scramble tournament will begin at noon -- registration starts at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow -- at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson.

A dinner and silent auction will follow at 6 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge.

In past years a notable former member of the St. Louis Cardinals has served as guest speaker at the banquet/auction -- including ex-manager Whitey Herzog -- but Hogan said there will be no guest speaker this year.

However, Hogan said Herzog -- who has friends in the area and makes occasional visits -- is expected to attend at least some of Monday's events.

"I think he's going to come down," Hogan said. "It's our major fundraiser and it's always a lot of fun. We've had great response to the event every year."