Redhawks split pair, still third in OVC

~ Southeast was eliminated from OVC title contention Friday at Tennessee Tech.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State bounced back from a tough first-game loss to split Friday's doubleheader at Tennessee Tech.

But entering today's 1 p.m. series and regular-season finale, the Redhawks still find themselves in third place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

That's the position Southeast was in before Friday.

First-place Austin Peay and second-place Jacksonville State also split their doubleheaders, keeping the Redhawks 1 1/2 games behind Austin Peay and one-half game in back of Jacksonville State.

Southeast was eliminated from a shot at winning the OVC regular-season championship. Austin Peay clinched at least a title tie, with Jacksonville State still having a chance to catch the Govs.

The Redhawks can still finish second and earn one of the two byes for the first round of next week's OVC tournament if they win today and Jacksonville State loses at Murray State.

Otherwise, the Redhawks will finish third and be forced to play an opening-round game in the six-team conference tournament.

As for Friday's doubleheader, Southeast scored five first-inning runs in the opener that was scheduled for nine innings, but the Redhawks were blanked the rest of the way and lost 6-5 in 11 innings.

The Redhawks romped 9-2 in the seven-inning nightcap.

Southeast is 31-21 overall and 16-9 in OVC play.

Tech (25-28, 11-15) was eliminated from OVC tournament contention. The Eagles are in eighth place.

In Friday's opener, the Redhawks jumped all over Tech senior right-hander Matt Smith for five runs on five hits in the top of the first inning.

But Smith proceeded to shut the Redhawks out over the final 10 frames as he limited them to six hits during that span.

Smith retired the final 15 batters he faced as Southeast did not have a baserunner over the last five innings.

The Eagles chipped away and finally tied the contest 5-5 with a two-run sixth that knocked out OVC earned-run average leader Dustin Renfrow, who entered with a 2.05 mark that ranked 21st nationally.

Renfrow allowed 10 hits and four earned in 5 2/3 innings. It was the most earned runs the junior right-hander has given up all year.

Senior left-hander Josh Parham replaced Renfrow and shut Tech out until the 11th. The only problem was, the Redhawks could not do any damage against Smith.

Tech finally won the game in the bottom of the 11th on a leadoff walk, a two-out walk and an RBI single by Jake New.

Parham (5-5) was the tough-luck loser. In five innings, he allowed four hits and only the one run.

The Eagles had 14 hits in this game, compared to 11 for the Redhawks, who were led by freshman catcher Jim Klocke's 3-for-5 performance.

Omar Padilla, Asif Shah and Matt Wulfers all added two hits for the Redhawks.

Southeast had little trouble in the nightcap as the Redhawks scored six third-inning runs to wipe out a 1-0 deficit.

That was more than enough cushion for senior left-hander Shah and two relievers.

Shah (7-2) took over the team lead in wins as he allowed four hits and both runs in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Lance Rhodes and Sam Rosener each retired two batters without allowing a hit to finish off the victory.

Southeast had 10 hits, with Padilla again getting two. Daryl Graham also had two hits and drove in two runs, while Wulfers added two RBIs.

Klocke and Padilla both finished the day with four hits.

Tourney berths set

Although the order has not yet been determined, the six OVC tournament berths have been filled.

Austin Peay (18-8), Jacksonville State (17-9), Southeast (16-9), Eastern Kentucky (12-11), Samford (13-13) and Murray State (12-12) have all locked up berths.

Eastern Illinois (11-14), Tennessee Tech (11-15), Morehead State (9-17) and Tennessee-Martin (7-18) have all been eliminated.