SEMO seniors see season end on sour note, turn focus on OVC Tournament

Southeast Missouri State senior Noah Niznik watched from the dugout the twilight of his playing days at Capaha Field on Saturday as the Redhawks fall to a sweeping defeat, 4-2, at the hands of Eastern Illinois.

After five years on the turf mound in his home away from home, the St. Louis native said he will remember the atmosphere that was boosted by renovations during his freshman year and the "Fill the Hill" Friday promotions that garnered its highest turnout during his time as the ace of the Redhawks.

"The people out on the hill, the fans behind home plate, the party deck that got added made it a lot more fun to go out there and pitch," Niznik said. "It's honestly a good feeling, there's no doubt about that. It adds to it a little bit, it amplifies it, kind of gets your adrenaline pumping. That's why you play."

Niznik has saved his best season for last, setting career highs in starts (14), innings (80), and strikeouts (83), as well as holding opposing batters to a .236 average. This was also the first season Niznik struck out more batters than innings pitched in his career.

"Something that I've always had is that confidence," Niznik said, "just not backing down to whoever we're facing."

Niznik's senior season came as a redemption after two previous seasons filled with adversity, something he was not used to as a pitcher. He recorded an 8.25 ERA over 14 appearances in 2021 and a 7.74 ERA in 2022. Making it through the tough times of the past has prepared him for the success of the present.

"I kind of ran into trouble with that for the first time last year and the back end of the year before that," Niznik said. "It was tough to work through. I've never experienced something like that, but just giving it time and working through it really made me stronger mentally. So I just kind of use that as a token."

Southeast Missouri State pitcher Noah Niznik winds up to throw against Eastern Illinois on Friday, May 19 in Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

It took a village at SEMO to help Niznik through adversity. His longtime teammate and close friend Andrew Keck, now with the Atlanta Braves farm system, remained a resource for Niznik to talk to. He also credits his teammates and family for helping him reach success, but it was the consulting he got from longtime pitching coach Lance Sherman in the summer that truly drove him back to form.

"Just being with him and just talking to him just kind of made me realize, what I do, I know I'm good enough," Niznik said. "It's more about just understanding you can get anybody out as long as I make my pitches. So he kind of helped me a lot during that, so just got to give credit to him."

Regardless of the result, this ends an era of one of the most successful senior classes in SEMO history. Starting Wednesday, eight seniors, including Niznik, will either capture the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship for the third straight season or see their collegiate career end in Marion, Illinois.

"This group of seniors has won three championships (one regular season and two tournaments) in the last two years," SEMO head coach Andy Sawyers said. "They've been a pleasure to my life to get to be around them, and coach them, and watch them win at the level they've done for the last three years.

"It's always bittersweet when they leave," he said. "I've written No. 1 and Jevon Mason on the leadoff spot for the last three years, and I don't get to do that after we're done with this season. So that'll be an adjustment for me. It was like when I didn't get to write No. 9, Wilber, at shortstop. When those guys leave that have played big roles for such a long time, it's pretty hard sometimes when they're not here."

Southeast Missouri State outfielder Josh Cameron bats against Eastern Illinois on Saturday, May 20, in Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Redhawks (26-29, 14-10) enter the OVC Tournament on a 10-game losing streak, but the team is taking the approach of entering the week with a clean sheet. With six hitters batting better than .280 on the season, the Redhawks certainly have the bats to recapture the championship. Josh Cameron leads the squad in home runs (16), RBI (51), stolen bases (13), slugging (.632), and is one of three batters with an average over .300. Mason has long been the table setter of the team, with a .311 average, 10 home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Outside of Niznik, Haden Dow is the only other Redhawks pitcher to log 14 starts. The junior recorded a 4.55 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .249 average.

"I definitely think it's a little bit different than last year, but in all reality, we're 0-0 now," said SEMO first baseman Lincoln Andrews. "We haven't really had nine guys in the lineup all year that has been working for each other and swinging at their best. I hope that we can come together this week and get it done."

The Redhawks will take on the winner between Southern Indiana and Eastern Illinois at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 24. The winner of that game will advance to take on regular-season champion Moorehead State at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 25.

Southeast Missouri State pitcher Haden Dow throws against Eastern Illinois on Saturday, May 20, in Capaha Field. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The first slate of games in the tournament is single elimination, so Wednesday will spell win or go home for the Redhawks.