Southeast Missouri State baseball team claims series opener vs. EIU with 21-1 win

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team recorded a season-high 23 hits, including five home runs, and starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi did not allow a run through the first seven innings as the Redhawks won their series opener against Eastern Illinois 21-1 on Friday in Charleston, Illinois.

The Ohio Valley Conference-leading Redhawks improved to 20-13 and 12-4 in conference action with the win. The Panthers dropped to 2-25 and 1-12 in the OVC.

Designated hitter Garrett Gandolfo hit the first of his two home runs in the first inning. His three-run shot to left field put Southeast up 3-0. The Redhawks scored another run in the inning on a throwing error.

Third baseman Trevor Ezell hit a two-run home run to left to put Southeast up 6-0 after two innings.

Shortstop Branden Boggetto hit an RBI double and center fielder Clayton Evans drove in a pair of runs with a single in the third. Gandolfo blasted his second home run of the day to left center and left fielder Andy Lennington followed with a solo shot in the next at-bat to cap a six-run third for the Redhawks. They led 12-0 going to the fourth.

Southeast's only scoreless innings were the next two. After a couple of one-out singles in the sixth, a sacrifice fly by catcher Scott Mitchell made it 13-0.

Second baseman Jason Blum doubled down the left-field line to score Ezell and a base hit by first baseman Ryan Rippee scored two more runs to give the Redhawks a 17-0 lead after seven.

Gandolfo, who was 3 for 5 with six RBI and three runs, made it 18-0 with a single in the eighth.

The Panthers plated their lone run in the bottom of the inning. Lucchesi, who had only allowed three hits over the first seven innings, gave up three consecutive two-out singles to make it 18-1.

Lucchesi improved to 5-1 with the win. He went eight innings and allowed one earned run on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Jacob Lawrence pitched the ninth in relief and gave up just one hit and struck out one.

Pinch hitter Alex Burridge added to Southeast's lead in the ninth. The senior catcher hit a three-run home run to left. It was the first homer of his career.

Every Redhawks starter recorded a hit in the victory. Ezell reached base seven times, went 4 for 5 with five runs and two RBI and was a triple short of hitting for the cycle.

EIU starter Matt Wivinis fell to 1-6 with the loss. He gave up 12 earned runs on 12 hits in five innings.

Game 2 of the weekend series is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.