Southeast recorded 32 wins but struggled in OVC tournament

~ The Redhawks received key contributions from several rookies.

The season ended a bit earlier than he would have liked, but all in all, Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan was pleased with the Redhawks' 2007 campaign.

After posting their worst record during Hogan's 13-year tenure at Southeast last season, the Redhawks bounced back with their most wins since 2002 and highest Ohio Valley Conference regular-season finish since 2003.

Southeast wound up 32-24, which ties for the fourth-most wins in program history and represents Hogan's seventh season of at least 30 victories in Cape Girardeau.

The Redhawks went 16-10 in the 10-team OVC to finish third, their best showing since taking second in 2003.

Southeast Missouri State senior Asif Shah provided an experienced arm on the mound and a strong bat at the plate. (Kit Doyle)

"I think it was a rebound year for us, a comeback year," said Hogan, whose squad had suffered two straight losing seasons, after having just one in his first 10 years at Southeast. "It was nice to see because it was unacceptable to stay where we were the last two years."

After going 23-33 overall and 11-16 in OVC play last year, Southeast bounced back with its first 30-win season since 2003.

The Redhawks, who were in the running for the OVC regular-season championship entering the final series, also qualified for the OVC tournament for the 13th consecutive year -- all under Hogan -- which ties the conference record.

"We had a lot of big wins and I think there were quite a few positives to the season," said Hogan, who has a 387-322-1 record at Southeast, including a pair of NCAA regional berths.

Southeast's biggest disappointment was that it did not fare better in last week's OVC tournament.

Redhawks freshman third baseman Nick Harris earned a spot on the OVC's all-freshman team.

After winning their tourney opener, the Redhawks dropped their next two games as they were outscored 20-3 and out-hit 29-11.

"Obviously we would have liked to do better in the tournament. We had high hopes that we could win it," Hogan said. "Things didn't work out that way, but I don't think that should detract from the season we had."

Southeast began the year sluggish on offense, then surged before struggling at the plate over the final few weeks.

The Redhawks finished with a .273 batting average to rank ninth in the OVC, but their 359 runs were the second-most in the league. That was largely thanks to their 45 home runs, which placed them second.

Southeast, which had the OVC's best ERA for roughly the first half of the season, faded some in that area but still wound up third with a respectable 4.69 mark.

Defensively, the Redhawks set a school record with a .965 fielding percentage that placed them third in the league.

"I thought we were fairly solid in most areas," Hogan said. "We dropped off some with the bats toward the end of the year, which hurt us."

Southeast loses 10 seniors, including several who were among the squad's top players.

That group is led by two-way star Asif Shah, the Redhawks' only first-team all-OVC selection.

Shah was one of the league's top pitchers with a 7-3 record and 3.22 ERA. He led Southeast in wins, along with RBIs (50) as he batted .312 to rank fourth on the squad.

"What Asif did as a two-way guy was really remarkable," Hogan said.

The Redhawks' top hitter, second baseman Omar Padilla (.325), was a senior. He tied for the team lead in home runs (8) and doubles (12) while ranking first in runs scored (54). He also committed just three errors.

"Omar was really a rock for us," Hogan said. "He will be very difficult to replace."

Southeast had three more seniors who started around the field much of the year: shortstop Robby Moore (.285), right fielder Daryl Graham (.268) and center fielder Dustin Pritchett (.206).

On the mound, besides Shah, other key seniors were Phillip Riley (6-3, 2.87) -- he split time as a starter and reliever, and was second on the squad in wins -- and versatile reliever Josh Parham (5-5, 3 saves, 3.19).

"We're going to miss those seniors," Hogan said. "We've got some holes to fill there."

But Hogan is excited about the nucleus of talent he has returning, including the other four players who earned all-conference recognition.

Junior Dustin Renfrow (5-1, 2.46) was Southeast's No. 1 starter the entire season after transferring from junior college. He had the OVC's second-best ERA and was the Redhawks' lone second-team all-league pick.

Freshman catcher Jim Klocke (.324) was voted the league's rookie of the year. He had Southeast's second-best average, while ranking first in on-base percentage (.443), third in RBIs (38) and tying for fourth in doubles (10).

Sophomore first baseman Matt Wagner (.318), a Nebraska transfer, was third on the Redhawks in hitting, while ranking second in RBIs (42) and third in home runs (7).

Two other Redhawks joined Klocke on the OVC's all-freshman team: third baseman Nick Harris and pitcher Josh Syberg.

Harris (.281) started off like a gangbuster at the plate before slumping over the second half of the season. He still tied for the team lead in homers (8) and doubles (12), led in triples (4), was second in runs scored (53) and fourth in RBIs (37).

The left-handed Syberg (4-4, 4.32) joined Renfrow and Shah as conference starters. He faded a bit toward the end of the year after a strong beginning, but pitched a gem in the OVC tournament.

"Those guys all really had outstanding seasons for us, especially for their first year in the program," Hogan said. "And for the freshmen to do what they did was very impressive. They're only going to get better."

Among the various other players who will be eligible to return next season are three who saw extensive action.

Sophomore left fielder Matt Wulfers (.245), a Missouri transfer, ranked third on the squad in doubles (11); sophomore center fielder Daniel Schuh (.158) struggled at the plate after a strong freshman season; and junior college transfer reliever Ivan Nails (3-2, 5.21) tied Parham for the team lead with three saves.

"I think we've got a very good nucleus of players returning," Hogan said. "Of course we've got to fill some holes, but I think we've signed some good players and we're still looking to sign some more.

"I'm excited about the future of the program. I think we've got a lot to look forward to."