Redhawks' tribute to St. Louis Browns spoiled by Purple Aces

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team showcased a tribute to the St. Louis Browns, who went to Cape Girardeau for spring training due to World War II travel restrictions and went to the 1944 World Series.

The Redhawks wore specially made custom jerseys made out of the style of the Browns from that time period. All the jerseys were then signed and sold in an auction.

"They're definitely cool," SEMO senior catcher Nolan Ackerman said. "I wish we had them for more games throughout the year but it's a one-time thing."

Members of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club stopped by Capaha Field with memorabilia available for fans to bid on, such as game-used gloves and bats from that special season.

"I'm proud to be able to wear a good piece of history," Ackerman said.

Members of the Southeast Missouri State baseball team pose for a group photo while wearing custom uniforms paying tribute to the 1944 St. Louis Browns, who held spring training in Cape Girardeau during their only World Series run, after a game against Evansville on Tuesday, April 30, at Capaha Field.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

Much like the "Brownies" of old, the Redhawks staged a late rally only to come up short in the end, falling to the Evansville Purple Aces 7-6 on Tuesday, April 30.

Ackerman and Caleb Corbin each finished with two hits and had clutch moments late in the game. Ackerman's RBI gave the Redhawks a 5-4 lead in the eighth to cap a rally started by Corbin drawing a bases-loaded walk. Corbin also hit a two-run single to pull the Redhawks within one in the ninth inning.

Ackerman, who has only played 20 games, has a .269 batting average, two home runs, and 16 RBI in 52 at-bats for the Redhawks.

Game used baseball bats from former St. Louis Browns players were displayed for auction during a Tuesday, April 28, game between Southeast Missouri State and Evansville at Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

"I haven't been playing a ton of games so there's not really any pressure on me," Ackerman said. "I'm just going in there having fun, having a good time trying to get a good pitch to hit and today it worked out. My swing has been feeling good lately, so I'm going to keep in my approach and hope to get more opportunities."

The comeback was made possible by the Redhawks drawing five straight walks resulting in three runs that tied the game 3-3 prior to Ackerman stepping to the plate.

"It takes a lot of discipline," Ackerman said. "Those were close pitches. That ump was squeezing the zone a little bit. Some of those, I think, were strikes, but we got lucky at the end of the day."

With two outs in the ninth inning, it looked like the Redhawks were going to close out the special night with a win. After Cal McGinnis singled off Kyle Miller, the Purple Aces retook the lead with a two-run home run by Mark Shallenberger. Evansville shortly followed that up with another two-run homer by Chase Hug to go up 7-4. 

The Purple Aces got their early 3-0 lead in the second inning off of RBI doubles from Brendan Hord and Harrison Taubert.

Game-used baseball gloves from former St. Louis Browns players were displayed for auction during a Tuesday, April 28, game between Southeast Missouri State and Evansville at Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Redhawks (22-23, 10-8) remain in a five-way tie for second place in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO has three weekend series left before the OVC Tournament on May 22, in Marion, Illinois.

Fortunately for SEMO, the next two are against the two teams at the bottom of the standings, starting with a road trip to in-state rivals Lindenwood.

"We're just staying together, loving each other, believing in each other," Ackerman said, "and that's really going to help us in the end and get through these last couple series."