Southeast Missouri State baseball team's offense fails to keep pace with Saint Louis University

There was nothing wrong with Southeast Missouri State's offense Tuesday night.

But the Redhawks' previously stout pitching staff took a beating as Saint Louis University pounded out a 14-8 victory at Capaha Field.

Southeast allowed season highs for runs and hits, and the Redhawks lost for the fourth time in five games, including three of four halfway through an eight-game homestand.

"They pounded it," Southeast senior Michael Adamson said.

The Billikens (14-6) scored five runs in both the third and fourth innings to put the Redhawks (11-10) in an early 11-3 hole. Southeast got no closer than five runs the rest of the way.

Southeast Missouri State center fielder Cole Bieser, left, runs out of space with right fielder Louie Haseltine on a Saint Louis home run by Jon Myers during the third inning Tuesday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

SLU had 20 hits, but Southeast wasn't that far behind with 15 hits. The Bills belted three home runs and three doubles. The Redhawks had a homer and four doubles.

"We had 15 hits and eight runs and it wasn't even close," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "It was an offensive day."

Southeast's pitching staff had been solid from top to bottom with an Ohio Valley Conference-best 2.98 ERA through the first 20 games.

"We haven't been touched up like this all year. It was surprising," Hogan said. "And it wasn't cheap."

The Redhawks' ERA rose to 3.44 after SLU's barrage, but Adamson said Southeast hurlers deserve a pass.

Southeast Missouri State shortstop Kenton Parmley catches a Saint Louis pop fly during the first inning Tuesday.

"The pitching staff has picked us up all year," Adamson said. "We had a couple of situations in the middle innings where we could have been right back in there and picked them up."

Southeast, which never led, answered SLU's first-inning run in the bottom of the frame for a 1-1 tie.

The Bills took control with a five-run third inning that began with the first two batters being retired. SLU had five hits in the frame, including a solo home run by Jon Myers and two-run singles by Jordan Hammerman and C.J. Rose.

Southeast made it 6-3 in the bottom of the third before SLU put up another five spot in the fourth. That inning also featured five hits.

Southeast managed to score in seven of the nine innings, but six of those frames produced only a single tally. The Redhawks never could match SLU's explosions.

Southeast Missouri State's Trenton Moses singles against Saint Louis during the third inning Tuesday.

Adamson did his part by going 4 for 5, including his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the fifth inning. He scored three times and drove in two runs.

Senior Tim Rupp went 3 for 4 while senior Ky Burgess and junior Trenton Moses both recorded two hits.

Myers added another solo homer for SLU -- he entered the contest without a home run -- a massive shot to left-center field leading off the ninth inning.

Myers had three hits, as did Hammerman, Rose, Travis Parker and Cody Cotter. Hammerman homered for the first time this season and delivered four RBIs.

"You've got to bring it on this level," Hogan said. "They were more active than we were, more ready to go."

Southeast Missouri State starting pitcher Josh Syberg delivers to a Saint Louis batter during the first inning Tuesday at Capaha Field.

Southeast used seven pitchers.

Senior Kirk Boeller (1-1) took the loss. The Redhawks' second hurler was charged with five runs in 1 2/3 innings.

He allowed four hits, walked one and hit two.

Senior Nick Thomas had the most success, allowing one run over 3 2/3 innings.

Now the Redhawks will turn their attention to OVC play, which begins Saturday with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader against Morehead State.

Southeast Missouri State's Michael Adamson is congratulated by teammates after his solo home run during the fifth inning Tuesday.

Hogan hopes the Redhawks, highly touted entering the season, can get things turned around in a hurry. They are just 4-8 after a 7-2 start, which has him concerned.

"We're still trying to find ourselves," he said.