Redhawks launch OVC play vs. Tech

Southeast Missouri State's 2008 baseball season was marked by a big offense and a subpar, inconsistent pitching staff.

Not much has changed so far this year as the Redhawks begin Ohio Valley Conference play today with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Tennessee Tech.

The Redhawks (10-8) and Golden Eagles (10-5) close out the three-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday.

"It's exciting to get started in conference," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "This is where it all starts. It's like a new season."

Hogan hopes the Redhawks get their act together on the mound so they can take full advantage of arguably one of the best lineups in program history.

"We need to continue to get better on the mound," Hogan said. "I think the boys know that."

Last year Southeast was second in the OVC in runs scored per game with 7.1, led the league with 60 home runs and batted a solid .292.

The Redhawks' 5.92 ERA, however, was better than only two OVC teams. In conference play, Southeast's ERA ballooned to 7.36.

Largely because of pitching, the Redhawks could do no better than 26-26 overall and a sixth-place 12-13 in the OVC, although they reached the title round of the league tournament.

This year, Southeast is third in the OVC in runs with 7.8 per game, second in homers with 29 and fourth with a .320 batting average.

But the Redhawks' 6.97 ERA is again better than just two OVC squads.

Southeast pitching has been roughed up for 46 runs in the last three games, all losses for the Redhawks.

"The last three games, we've just been pounded," Hogan said. "It doesn't take long to get exposed on the mound.

"At the same time, we've had some guys throw well so far. It's kind of been like Jekyl and Hyde."

Hogan entered the season confident that the Redhawks' pitching would be consideraby improved, and he still is holding out hopes of that entering the 24-game conference schedule.

"It's a work in progress. There's still a long way to go. We've played a little less than a third of the season," Hogan said. "We need to settle down and throw strikes. If we do, it will come around."

The Redhawks' top starting pitcher so far has been senior left-hander James Leigh, who is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA.

Leigh, who sports the OVC's sixth-best ERA and is second in the league in strikeouts with 29, will work today's seven-inning nightcap.

Junior college transfer Kyle Gumieny (0-2, 7.23) will get the ball in the nine-inning opener.

Gumieny has made four starts in his first season at Southeast. Two have been solid and has struggled in two.

The starter for Sunday's nine-inning series finale is yet to be determined.

"We'll just have to see how the first two games go," Hogan said.

Southeast boasts five regulars hitting above .300, led by senior first baseman Matt Wagner and senior second baseman Tony Spencer at .409 apiece. They are tied for eighth in the OVC.

Junior catcher Jim Klocke -- who has three saves as Southeast's closer -- is next at .385, followed by senior right fielder Tyrell Cummings (.375) and sophomore third baseman Trenton Moses (.333).

Wagner is tied for the OVC home run lead with seven, while also ranking among the league leaders in RBIs with 20. Cummings has 21 RBIs.

Tennessee Tech, picked fifth in the OVC preseason poll -- one spot behind Southeast -- is off to a strong start. The Eagles are tied for the second-best record in the conference entering league play.

The Eagles are batting .310 and have a 5.50 ERA.

Tech features six regulars hitting better than .300, led by junior Heath Cheverton (.380), senior Cory Wright (.357) and sophomore A.J. Kirby-Jones (.356).

Kirby-Jones, also one of the Eagles' top pitchers, is tied for first in the OVC with seven homers and ranks second with 28 RBIs.

The Eagles have the league's hottest starting pitcher in senior left-hander Adam Liberatore, who is 2-0 and has not allowed an earned run while holding the opposition to a .119 batting average.

In 17 innings, Liberatore has given up seven hits while striking out 21 and walking six.

"I think it's going to be a tough series," Hogan said. "They've got good pitching and they're hitting over .300. I expect a very stiff test."