Southeast honors Hogan's win record before games

Southeast Missouri State played its first home baseball game since coach Mark Hogan claimed the all-time win record Friday, and Hogan was honored with a ceremony before the opener of a doubleheader against Jacksonville State at Capaha Field.

The son of legendary Southeast coach Joe Uhls, who previously held the record, threw out the first pitch of the game. Hogan's family joined him at the pitcher's mound as a proclamation from Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson was read over the public address system.

Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman presented Hogan with a plaque that featured the game ball from the record-breaking win and a photo of the coach.

Hogan entered the doubleheader Friday with a career record of 374-308-1 at Southeast.

"It's all just so meaningful for me," Hogan said. "Sometimes I wish I could enjoy this without the pressure of winning a ballgame against a great baseball team like Jacksonville State.

"Today with my family, the players, Mayor Knudtson and Don Kaverman, it was wonderful. Just a great feeling. I appreciate the effort of everyone who was out here today."

Meeting of OVC leaders

Heading into Friday's home doubleheader, Southeast Missouri State trailed Jacksonville State by one game atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings after two series.

The two conference leaders split the doubleheader, retaining their places as the top two teams in the conference. A win for the Redhawks today would give them a share of the conference lead and the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Gamecocks.

"It's definitely a big, huge game for us," Southeast pitcher Asif Shah said. "It [a win] would not only put us in the driver's seat, it would send a message to everyone else."

Southeast dropped the opener of Friday's doubleheader 4-3 in 10 innings, but used a four-run sixth in the seven-inning second game to win 5-3 and avoid its fourth straight OVC series loss to Jacksonville State.

"If we're going to win the league, I think it starts [today]," Hogan said.

Hot hitting continues

Southeast leadoff hitter Omar Padilla extended his hitting streak to 11 games by going 4-for-8 in the doubleheader.

Padilla is 20-for-45 for a .444 average during his current hitting streak. The senior second baseman, who earned first-team all-OVC honors last year, has hit safely in 22 of 24 games.

"Padilla was all-conference [last year], he kind of stirs the drink for us," Hogan said. "He gets things going."

Padilla is hitting .412 with three home runs, seven RBIs and 11 runs scored in OVC play.

Matt Wagner also had four hits in eight at-bats Friday, raising his conference average to a team-high .481. Wagner is tied for the team lead with nine RBIs in OVC play.