Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Hogan collects 900th win

Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan couldn't have picked a better place to notch his 900th career victory.

"Having it come at Capaha Field is really special to me," Hogan said. "This is the field I grew up on and the community I grew up in."

Hogan's milestone win came in Tuesday night's 5-3 triumph over visiting Arkansas State.

"It's awesome. It's really cool to be a part of it," said Southeast All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses, who homered and drove in four runs. "I'm really happy for coach."

Senior shortstop Kenton Parmley, Southeast's other All-American candidate, echoed those thoughts.

"I'm glad to be a part of coach Hogan's 900th win," Parmley said. "It's a great accomplishment."

Hogan is 900-703-3 during a 31-year career that has spanned Division I Southeast, Division II West Alabama and Wallace Junior College.

Hogan, Southeast's winningest baseball coach, is 515-446-1 in his 18th season with the Redhawks.

"I've had a lot of great opportunities throughout my career. I'm thankful for all of it," Hogan said. "A lot of people have played a big role in this, most importantly the [assistant] coaches and players. A head coach is only a small part of it."

Hogan said he has felt especially blessed to spend the bulk of his coaching career in his hometown and at his alma mater.

"It's been a total blessing for me and my family to have the opportunity to coach where I grew up and where I graduated from," said Hogan, a Central High School graduate who played baseball for Southeast.

Hogan said three of Cape Girardeau's all-time baseball legends -- former Central coach Leon Brinkopf, former Cape Girardeau American Legion manager John "Doc" Yallaly and longtime Capahas manager Jess Bolen -- originally helped kindle his interest in the sport.

"They showed me the love for the game. They taught me the game," Hogan said.

Hogan was doused with a bucket of water by his players following the landmark win as his mother and wife, Becky, looked on. The couple has three daughters.

"I married the most wonderful person in the world, and I've got a great family," Hogan said. "I've just been so blessed."