Southeast baseball team alone atop OVC standings after series win

~ The Redhawks improved to 9-2 in OVC play with a win on Saturday

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team is in a spot it's been familiar with so far this season: atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

But at least for now, the Redhawks aren't sharing that spot with anyone.

With their 9-3 win against the University of Tennesse-Martin on Saturday -- and an SIU Edwardsville loss to Tennessee Tech -- the Redhawks gained sole possession of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference and clinched the series win over the Skyhawks.

Southeast, which has won three of its four conference series, improved to 16-10 overall and 9-2 in OVC play with the victory. The Redhawks have yet to lose a conference road game this season and are one of just four teams in the conference with a winning OVC record. Jacksonville State and SIUE are both 8-3 in conference play while Tennessee Tech is 7-4.

The Redhawks took a 3-0 lead in the third inning when third baseman Andy Lennington hit a two-out double the cleared the loaded bases.

Lennington was in a similar spot in the fifth inning. With bases loaded and no outs, Lennington's hit to first was thrown home to get Cole Bieser out at the plate.

With the bases still loaded, catcher Scott Mitchell reached first on a Skyhawk error to plate first baseman Matt Tellor.

Designated hitter Cole Ferguson then was walked to score Southeast's fifth run.

The Redhawks picked up two more runs in the inning when shortstop Andy Lack hit a ball to UT Martin third baseman Zack Malone, who made a throwing error trying to get the out at first.

The Skyhawks had two runners on with two outs in the home half of the inning when an error by Lack loaded the bases. UTM's Taylor Douglas cleared the bases with a double to left center to make it 7-3.

Southeast extended the lead to 9-3 on a two-RBI double from Tellor in the eighth for the final score.

Ryan Lenaburg (3-2) collected the win. He allowed three unearned runs and five hits in seven innings of work. Christian Hull and Brady Wright each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Southeast.

The Redhawks and Skyhawks (3-21, 2-9 OVC) face off at 1 p.m. today in Martin, Tenn., in the finale of the series. Sophomore Alex Winkelman will start on the mound for Southeast after usual Sunday starter Travis Hayes was scratched due to a strain in his left side.

Winkleman started against No. 16 Mississippi State on the road on Tuesday and pitched 6 1/3 innings. He allowed just five hits and two earned runs in the Redhawks 3-2 loss.