Southeast Missouri State baseball team records first win

Southeast Missouri State All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses picked a perfect time for his first home run of the season.

Moses rescued Southeast from a potential major upset, his three-run eighth-inning shot lifting the Redhawks past Harris-Stowe State 8-6 on Tuesday afternoon in front of more than 600 fans at Capaha Field.

The Redhawks, notching their first win of the season in their home opener, improved to 1-3. The Hornets, an NAIA program from St. Louis, fell to 1-8.

"It feels so much better," Moses said about Southeast's initial victory that came after the Redhawks dropped three tight games at 2011 Super Regional qualifier Dallas Baptist over the weekend.

Southeast, which has 21 newcomers on its 34-player roster, received a tough battle as it kicked off an 11-game homestand.

Southeast Missouri State left fielder Jason Blum, right, ducks out of the way as shorstop Kenton Parmley catches a pop fly during the third inning Tuesday at Capaha Field. The Redhawks defeated Harris-Stowe 8-6. (Kristin Eberts)

"I expected an interesting game. It didn't surprise me," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "You have to give Harris-Stowe a lot of credit. I was not disappointed with our effort. I was proud of our ballclub."

Harris-Stowe scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning -- two were unearned thanks to an error -- to forge a 5-5 tie.

Junior college transfer second baseman John Logan Zink led off the bottom of the eighth with a double. Sophomore center fielder Cole Bieser was hit by a pitch with one out.

Zink was on third and Bieser on first with two outs when Moses came to the plate. The Advance High School graduate ripped a shot to right-center field that got out in a hurry.

"We were talking all day about staying back, trying to drive the ball up the middle or to the opposite field," said Moses, the reigning Ohio Valley Conference player of the year. "He [Brandon Wehking] put a change up in the zone."

Southeast Missouri State’s Hank Williams Jr. pitches during the fifth inning.

Moses said he has played enough games at Capaha to know what the result of his blast would be.

"I knew it was gone. ... You get it up in that Capaha Field jet stream," said Moses, who has a 15-game hitting streak dating back to last season.

Moses also turned in several defensive gems at third base.

"Not a bad game," he said, smiling. "I just want to do what I can to help my team win."

Said Hogan: "I'm thrilled for him, to get off to a senior start like that. And he put on a clinic at third base."

The Hornets scored a ninth-inning run without a hit off juco transfer Dylan Lynn, Southeast's fifth and final pitcher who notched his first save for the Redhawks.

Juco transfer Trevor Kill, who allowed the three eighth-inning runs -- just one earned -- received credit for his first Southeast victory.

Southeast's most effective hurler was starter Cody Spanberger, a true freshman who gave up one hit in three scoreless innings during his collegiate debut.

"He was sharp," Hogan said. "For a freshman in his debut, I couldn't have been prouder of him."

Spanberger walked two and did not record a strikeout.

"I feel I did all right. I was a little nervous at the beginning, but I felt I did better as I went along," he said. "I had a lot of great plays behind me. It's easy to pitch when you have a great defense behind you."

Juco transfers Hank Williams Jr. and Michael Patman each allowed one run and two hits in two innings.

"This game was kind of designed to get people some work," Hogan said about his pitching.

Bieser had two hits, including a triple, and scored two runs. He is Southeast's early batting leader at .400 after seeing limited action last year.

"It's nice to get a chance to play," Bieser said. "I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunities."

Zink also had two of Southeast's eight hits while scoring twice. They were his first hits for the Redhawks. He was filling in at second base for senior Taylor Heon, who has a leg injury that is not considered serious.

The Hornets' star was senior center fielder Blake Dirnberger, a Scott City High School graduate who received three at-bats as a freshman at Southeast before transferring.

Dirnberger had two of the Hornets' six hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning that got the Hornets on the scoreboard. He also made an impressive catch to rob Moses of extra bases.

"Blake had a big day. As a former player of ours I'm happy for him," Hogan said.

Harris-Stowe's two other local products, both pitchers from Jackson High School, also saw action.

Sophomore Caleb Hosey allowed three runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings. Junior Drew Coleman retired the only two batters he faced.

Southeast improved to 19-2 all-time against Harris-Stowe with its 17th consecutive win over the Hornets, who never led but never went away either.

"You can't take anything for granted," Moses said. "They played us tough. Hats off to them."

The Redhawks host IPFW (1-2) for a three-game series Friday through Sunday. Friday's first pitch will be at 3 p.m.