SEMO softball returns home after daunting stretch

The old saying, don’t judge a book by its cover is entirely true when looking at Southeast Missouri State’s start to the 2024 softball season.

While the Redhawks have started 4-14, they have faced teams like Ohio State, Maryland, Syracuse, Auburn and Arkansas.

“I overscheduled,” Redhawks coach Mark Redburn said. “I thought that you know, having 13 juniors and seniors, some players that played last year a little bit and having five arms with the addition of three freshman pitchers, I thought we would be in a little bit better position.”

Although the record isn’t what Redburn or his staff wants, their losses aren’t due to a lack of hard work.

“Our kids are working really hard,” Redburn said. “We just have some that haven’t quite got off to the start we want.”

Despite all this, Redburn still feels the grueling stretch will pay off for the Redhawks.

“I still think it’s absolutely benefitted us,” Redburn said. “We finished strong on Sunday against Arkansas. I’ve told our players, it didn’t matter if we went 18-0 during this non-conference schedule. It was all about building up some experience and reps to get ourselves ready to start conference play this weekend.”

No coach will ever count moral victories, but you can find building blocks and that’s exactly what Redburn feels he saw in the first 18 games.

“We put up some runs against some teams like for instance Northern Iowa,” Redburn said. “We played them tough both games and then they turned around and beat Auburn. We still had some good things that we did and had some good swings on balls, so there’s some things there I’m happy about.”

The Redhawks open Ohio Valley Conference play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the Southeast Softball Complex, when they take on Eastern Illinois, the reigning OVC Tournament champions.

“They’re a team that can win it,” Redburn said. “I’m happy that we get to be at home and open up after that 18-game stretch. I think it’s certainly an advantage for us to be at home against EIU. But, again, they’re a really good team that’s been out there playing well.”

Following the three-game set with Eastern Illinois, the Redhawks will then host Bradley for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, giving Southeast five consecutive home games.

“It’ll be huge,” Redburn said. “It’s also nice that we’re going into spring break. Players can put the school stuff aside for a bit and just get to hang out and have some time off while playing ball at the same time. It’s spring break so we just get to focus on us and we get a lot of time to do it.”

Saturday’s contest will be a doubleheader with EIU with game two beginning at 3 p.m.

The series will wrap up at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the Southeast Softball Complex.

“Right now we’re in the mode of trying to stabilize both our offense and our defense,” Redburn said. “I realize that the offense may not quite be there to what we thought it might be or could be, but the good news is it can only get better.”