Southeast Missouri State baseball team saves its best for Salukis

~ Southeast concluded its five-game homestand with a 4-1 victory against SIU Carbondale

There haven't been many pitcher's duels at Capaha Field this season.

One broke out Tuesday night, and Southeast Missouri State ended up on the winning side of it for one of the few times as the host Redhawks beat SIU Carbondale 4-1.

"Probably overall it's the best game we've played this year," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I've got a good feeling our club is starting to jell. It's something we can build on."

A season-high crowd of more than 750 enjoyed free food and beverages provided by Bluff City Beer Co. while seeing Southeast post its first two-game winning streak since late February.

Southeast Missouri State's Kenton Parmley hits a home run against SIU Carbondale during the seventh inning Tuesday at Capaha Field. Parmley extended his school-record hitting streak to 41 games during the first inning. (WAYNE MCPHERSON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

The Redhawks improved to 10-24 by beating the Salukis (18-15) for the fourth straight time.

"We're starting to pick it up. We're starting to come together," said senior shortstop Kenton Parmley, who extended his school-record hitting streak to 41 games dating back to last year. He is one shy of the Ohio Valley Conference record.

Southeast had lost 14 of its previous 15 contests before beating Eastern Kentucky 9-7 on Saturday to salvage the finale of a three-game OVC series.

The Redhawks' struggling pitching staff, which is ranked among the nation's worst in ERA and walks per game, showed signs of life Saturday.

Southeast hurlers were full of life against hard-hitting SIU, which is among the Missouri Valley Conference's top offensive clubs. The Salukis carried a .301 batting average into the contest.

Southeast Missouri State’s Kenton Parmley hits a home run against SIU Carbondale during the seventh inning Tuesday at Capaha Field. Parmley extended his school-record hitting streak to 41 games during the first inning. (WAYNE MCPHERSON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

Four pitchers combined to allow one run for only the second time this season and first since a Feb. 24 win over IPFW. The Redhawks allowed less than five runs for just the fifth time and first since March 10.

"For our pitching staff to hold them down, it was great," Parmley said.

Southeast hurlers struck out nine, walked a season-low one and gave up eight hits.

"Nine strikeouts and one walk against a very good hitting team was very impressive," Hogan said.

Junior college transfer Dylan Lynn, who made just his second start among his 14 appearances, had his best performance of the year. He pitched the first four innings, allowing three hits and one run. Lynn (2-0) struck out six and walked none.

"He did a tremendous job," Hogan said. "It was great for him to throw the way he did."

Lynn did much of his damage, especially on the strikeouts, with a sharp slider.

"That was my pitch today," Lynn said. "I had my stuff. I knew they were a good hitting team. I had to go after them."

Juco transfer Tony Zerrusen worked two scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, struck out one and issued Southeast's lone walk.

True freshman left-hander Will Spitzfaden, who carried a 14.21 ERA over just 6 1/3 innings of work, fired two scoreless frames. He struck out two and allowed three hits.

"He showed a lot of poise," Hogan said.

Spitzfaden came out for the ninth inning but was relieved after giving up a leadoff single.

"It was nice to have a good outing," Spitzfaden said. "The whole team had a good outing."

Left-hander Ryan Prickett, the only senior on the pitching staff, quickly recorded his second save of the season by getting a double play and a ground out.

"All our pitchers were outstanding," Hogan said. "We neutralized some great hitters."

Southeast's offense did just enough against SIU lefty Nathan Dorris, who was a conference starter for the Salukis earlier this season. He struck out nine and allowed three earned runs.

Parmley extended his hitting streak early by leading off the bottom of the first inning with a single. It was the 17th time he has extended the streak during his first at-bat.

A hit for Parmley on Friday at Morehead State would tie the OVC record of 42 games. Parmley's streak is tied for sixth all-time in NCAA Division I history.

"It's a good feeling. It would definitely be an honor if I get it [the conference record]," said Parmley, who has reached base safely in 50 consecutive games.

Parmley later scored in the opening inning on a two-out RBI single by senior first baseman Kody Campbell.

SIU tied it in the second inning on a home run by Jordan Sivertsen.

Southeast regained the lead for good in the bottom of the second by executing a double steal. Redshirt freshman right fielder Jason Blum, who had tripled, stole home as sophomore center fielder Cole Bieser swiped second.

Bieser's two-out RBI single in the fourth inning made it 3-1, and Parmley's two-out homer in the seventh rounded out the scoring.

"We got some timely hits, some two-out hits," said Hogan, whose squad did not commit an error. "We played a flawless game defensively. I thought we put on a great show."

All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses singled in his final at-bat to extend his school-record streak of reaching base safely in 54 consecutive games dating back to last year.

Sophomore left fielder Derek Gibson matched Parmley in getting two of Southeast's nine hits. Gibson extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

Tuesday was the first meeting in the annual home-and-home series between the teams. Southeast visits SIU on April 24.

Southeast resumes OVC play at 4 p.m. Friday at Morehead State for the start of a three-game series.